North Yorkshire Police made 93 arrests during its summer drink and drug drive campaign as the quest to cut road deaths continues.
Despite repeated warnings and the well-documented dangers of drink and drug driving, some motorists continue to put lives at risk by getting behind the wheel while impaired.
Since the campaign began on 1 June, 2,374 drivers have been breathalysed by officers patrolling the roads of North Yorkshire and the City of York, looking for people who think they can get a away with drinking or taking drugs before driving.
As a result of the campaign 22 drink drivers have been banned from the roads with a further 30 suspects who have been charged with drink driving awaiting court dates and are also likely to be disqualified.
A further 23 suspected drink or drug drivers are currently on bail awaiting the outcome of further police enquiries. 16 people were released without further police action. A 15-year-old youth was given a four month Youth Offender Panel order and another motorist had her licence endorsed with 10 penalty points.
Although the campaign finished on 1 July 2012, the fight against drink and drug driving is far from over and officers will be on the look out for offenders all year round.
Traffic Sergeant Pete Stringer, who co-ordinated the campaign as part of “95 Alive”, the York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership , said:
What is encouraging is the fact that we have managed to catch a large number of people suspected of drink driving. What is discouraging is the number of people who continue to get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs.
We need to get people who continue to put lives at risk off the roads and if people think we will be easing off now the campaign is over, they’ve got another thing coming.
The fight against drink and drug driving is a constant one, and until people get the message, we will keep we will keep arresting offending motorists and the courts will keep banning them from the roads.
A 56-year-old man from Riccall was arrested at around 7pm last night (4 July 2012) thanks to a member of the public who alerted officers after becoming concerned about his erratic driving.
Officers attended the man’s home address and, following a positive breath test, he was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. He remains in police custody as enquiries continue.
TS Stringer added:
This is the kind of support we need from the public if we are to eradicate drink and drug drivers from our roads.
Throughout the campaign we have been very thankful to the public for all the information they have provided us with, much of which has led to arrests.
It is heartening that the majority of people are aware of the dangers of drink and drug driving and I urge residents to keep telling us about the people who are putting lives at risk.
If you would like to report a drink or drug driver, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101.
If you wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.
