Drunk Driver four times the limit at 11am

Over 160 drivers, including a man who four times the legal limit at 11am, were arrested during Devon and Cornwall Police’s Christmas drink driving campaign.

According to figures released today police officers gave 1,326 breath tests of which 167 were positive, refused or failed to provide.

One man stopped in Devon was found to be more than four times the legal limit at 11am while another stop also in Devon found a 28-year-old woman four times the limit at 4:30pm/

In Plymouth, two readings of over 3½ times the legal limit were provided, one by a 33 year-old woman and one by a 35 year-old man during the early evenings.

Inspector Richard Pryce, Roads Policing Inspector, said: “The number of breath tests undertaken is down on last year together with the number of positive tests following collisions.

The overall percentage of positive tests is slightly higher which is disappointing. The positive drink driving figure is still too high.

“Nationally and locally a lot of work is being done to educate people about the risks and dangers regarding drink driving and the messages are out there for all to see.

“Despite this and the threat of punitive measures such as losing one’s licence, job, liberty or worse, it is disappointing that, when we carry out a sustained period of analysis such as this, that it reveals such a reckless approach from some people regarding their safety and the safety of their fellow road users.

“As always, catching drink drivers is a year-round priority for us and we will continue to crack down on drink and drug driving to actively contribute to making our roads safer.

“Some of the detection results we had are staggering.  I find it utterly incredible that some individuals will drive after drinking so much as to be three or four times the drink drive limit.

The total number of positive breath tests following a collision was lower this year at 21 or 5.8% of the total (361) compared to 12.3% (72 out of 585) in 2012.

“They show scant regard for the lives of other people on the road.  For some, clearly the messages are not getting through.  It may be that for these, only the sanction of the law in a court will make them realise.”