Police hail fall in younger motorists drinking and driving

More than 4,000 motorists in East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire were breathalysed by police over two months including Christmas and the New Year.

Party goers were warned to think before driving the morning after a big night out with the key message and focus particularly aimed at drivers under the age of 25.

Overall 5.4 per cent (239), of the 4,441 motorists stopped, failed or refused a test.

Among drivers under the age of 25, five per cent failed or refused.

In the East Riding, where the most tests were carried out, 71 motorists were positive, failed or refused to provide a specimen, out of the 1351 who were pulled over (5.3 per cent). In Hull, 46 of 768 motorists (just over 6 per cent) were found wanting.

Superintendent Darren Downs, head of the Roads Policing Unit for Humberside Police said: “This is an encouraging reduction in offending rates in the under 25s age group compared to results from similar, previous drink and drug driving campaigns throughout 2010 and 2011.

“Since the summer of 2010, offending rates in the under 25s have ranged from 5.2 percent to 10.8 per cent at its highest, in the summer of 2011, so the results this year make us hopeful that the Don’t Drink and Drive message is being heard by this group of drivers.”

He added: “The vast majority of motorists travelling on the roads throughout the Humberside Police area are to be congratulated for their considerate and responsible driving attitude and behaviour during the campaign period.

“However, for those few irresponsible and selfish individuals who decide not to heed all the warnings and continue to drink and drive, be warned that Humberside Police is looking out for you and there is a very high probability that you will be caught and dealt with by the criminal justice process.”