North Yorkshire Police reveal number of drink drivers arrested - when the pubs were shut

A total of 136 people across North Yorkshire were arrested for drink driving during the first three months of the year, despite pubs being shut, police have revealed.
North Yorkshire Police on patrol.North Yorkshire Police on patrol.
North Yorkshire Police on patrol.

North Yorkshire Police released the figure on the day pubs are able to re-open their beer gardens following the relaxation of Covid-19 regulations.

Officers are expecting to see a surge in drink driving on the county's roads and have launched a new campaign urging people to make sensible choices when it comes to getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

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Roads Policing Sergeant Andrew Morton said: “With pubs reopening, we’re expecting to see a surge in drink driving.

“After months of being stuck at home, it is only natural that people will want to go out and celebrate the latest step in the roadmap to ease coronavirus restrictions.

“We’ll be out around the clock on the lookout for drink driving, so we urge people to enjoy their time in beer gardens safely. No drink is worth a fine, a ban, yours or even someone else’s life.

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In 2020, officers arrested 871 people for drink driving – an average of more than two per day.

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So far, in 2021 from January 1, to March 31, the force has made 136 arrests for drink driving offences. Drink driving offences peak on weekends, with as many as nine people arrested a day.

Sgt Morton urged anyone with information about drink or drug driving to phone North Yorkshire Police on 101.

He said: “We recognise the public’s efforts in supporting previous campaigns and once again encourage anyone with any information about a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs to contact us and let us know. It’s your call – call it in.”