Delivery driver caught three times over alcohol limit as police arrest hundreds of Yorkshire motorists

The driver, who was arrested while working near Skipton, was almost three times over the alcohol limit, North Yorkshire Police revealed as the force released its figures for the Christmas crackdown.

During the campaign, which ran between December 1, and 1 January, police patrolled community roads, main routes and country lanes across North Yorkshire around the clock.

They also acted on information supplied by members of the public, which led to a number of arrests during the campaign.

A total of 37 drivers were arrested in Scarborough, 31 in Harrogate, 26 in York, 15 in Selby, 10 in Craven, nine in both Ryedale and Hambleton and six in Richmond. Overall the total number of motorists arrested rose by four per cent with 143 arrests, compared to 137 the previous year.

One man arrested in Ryedale was almost four times over the limit – the highest breathalyser reading recorded during the campaign. He was banned from driving until Summer 2023, given a curfew and ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work.

Another man in Scarborough was arrested twice in the same week on suspicion of drug driving.

A total of 29 arrests were as a result of collisions, 25 of which involved suspected drink drivers and four of which related to suspected drug driving.

Roads Policing Group Sergeant Andy Morton, who led the operation for North Yorkshire Police, said: “It’s very concerning that despite us warning drink drivers we’d catch them, so many ignored these warnings. They risked it and now they are facing the consequences.

“As everyone else anticipates getting back to some kind of normality in 2021, these motorists will be adjusting to life without a driving licence.

“In a large rural county such as North Yorkshire, losing your licence can make life very difficult and sometimes costs people their job. When you are allowed to drive again, insurance costs skyrocket.

“But we see the horrific aftermath of drink driving collisions, so we have very little sympathy for anyone who chooses to endanger themselves and others.

“That’s why we’ll be continuing to focus on drink and drug drivers throughout 2021. We’re determined to get them off our roads and we know the public fully support that.

Around 50 suspected drink or drug drivers have so far been dealt with by the courts or given court dates. All those convicted face a minimum of a year disqualified from driving, a criminal record and large fines.

In West Yorkshire, police arrested 341 drivers for motoring offences, an average of 11 each day during December.

A total of 164 arrests were for drink driving, 156 for drug driving and 21 for failing to provide a specimen.