Results from the police’s annual summer drink drive crackdown show that the number of people caught drink driving in Lancashire is down.
A total of 11,398 tests were administered throughout the month of June and 144 of the people who took the test – or 1.26 per cent – failed. In addition, five people refused to provide a specimen, meaning the total number of people who failed or refused the test was 149 or 1.3 per cent.
This compares to the 2012 summer drink drive campaign when 12,171 tests were administered and 206 – or 1.7 per cent – failed or refused the test.
The campaign saw high-profile enforcement activity take place across the county.
Chief Inspector Debbie Howard from the road policing unit said: “This year’s crackdown has seen a decrease in the number of people caught drink driving compared to last year. I hope that this reduction is down to more people acknowledging the devastating consequences of drink driving.
“We know that people like to make the most of the warmer weather in the summer months and this can sometimes lead to more alcohol being consumed. We want people to enjoy themselves but to be aware of the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“I must stress that whilst this campaign is over, our enforcement activity around drink driving continues. We police the county’s roads day-in, day-out and we will always take action against anyone we suspect of flouting the law.”
County Councillor John Fillis, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “It’s very encouraging to see the positive effect which years of hard work to change attitudes to drink driving has had, and that this continues to be supported by strong police action.
“The improvement over last year shows that our approach in Lancashire is working and we’ll continue to educate and enforce to ensure people take on board that drinking and driving is a risk not worth taking.”
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: “Drinking and driving costs lives, and I hope the drop in the number of people being caught demonstrates this message is getting through.
“I am supportive of the crackdown run by the Constabulary, and their continued efforts to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on Lancashire’s roads.
“Raising awareness of the harm caused by driving under the influence of drink and drugs, and targeting those who do, can only be positive for the county’s residents.”