Force to carry out fewer tests on drivers

The number of breath tests carried out by South Yorkshire Police soared by more than 600 per cent last December as officers across the county took samples from anyone they suspected of a traffic offence.

The policy made the force one of the most active in the country for drink-drive testing.

This year, the force will abandon the saturation testing approach and concentrate on hotspots where large numbers of motorists are known to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs.

The operation will form part of a nationwide campaign, run by the Association of Chief Police Officers, which will begin on December 1.

South Yorkshire's head of roads policing, Chief Insp Stuart Walne, said: "South Yorkshire Police will target motorists at various times throughout the day at a number of different locations, not just at pub closing times, based on intelligence indicating the areas where we believe people are regularly drinking and driving.

"We hope that our high-profile awareness raising will help remind drivers that drinking and driving wrecks lives and will not be tolerated.

"Throughout December, police officers will be enforcing breath testing under current breath-test legislation of suspecting a moving traffic offence, following a collision or suspecting that a driver may be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

"We will also be offering motorists the opportunity to voluntarily take a breath test. We hope this will raise awareness of drink driving issues and encourage law-abiding motorists to help us identify those who regularly drink and drive."

Anyone who suspects someone is regularly driving under the influence of drink or drugs should call South Yorkshire Police on 0114 220 2020 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.