Drunks caused one in ten festive crashes

ONE in ten car crashes over the festive period in South Yorkshire involved a drunk driver, statistics have revealed.

During a campaign targeting known drink-driving hotspots across the region in December, 4,690 drivers were breathalysed and of those 239 (5.1 per cent) tested positive, or refused to provide a breath test.

Of the total number of breath tests carried out, 828 followed a crash. Of these drivers, 10.6 per cent were found to be over the limit or unable to provide a test.

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South Yorkshire’s chief inspector for road policing, Stuart Walne, said: “With over 10 per cent of collisions involving drink drivers the message couldn’t be clearer, alcohol and driving must not be mixed.

“Drink driving kills and has a devastating effect on families and loved ones.

South Yorkshire Police are very serious about keeping people safe from drink drivers, and I would like to thank my colleagues for their diligent work

“I would also like to thank the public for the support to the campaign and helping us with information of those who selfishly continue to drink and drive.

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“If you know someone that regularly drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol I would urge you to contact South Yorkshire Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111”.

Nationally, drink and drug driving figures for the December 2011 Association of Chief Police Officers showed that, across the country, 157,000 breath tests were conducted and more than 7,200 people were arrested.

Throughout December, South Yorkshire Police’s “Shaken and Slurred” drink-driving campaign involved posters on the side of buses, advertising on social networking sites such as Facebook and messages in cinemas across the county.