Summer drink drive crackdown results revealed

During the FIFA World Cup Devon and Cornwall Police carried out its annual summer drink and drug driving crackdown, supporting of a wider national Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) campaign to reduce risk on our roads.

The consequences of driving while over the limit the morning after drinking were a special focus of the campaign because of World Cup matches often being played later into the night and during weekdays.

Inspector Richard Pryce, Roads Policing Unit Inspector, said: “The scheduling times of some matches meant that there was potential for people to drink later into the night, then to drive at the normal time in the morning without considering whether they may be over the drink drive limit.”

Between 1 and 30 June this year, 776 drink drive tests were conducted in Devon and Cornwall of which 132 were positive, refused or failed (17%). This compares to the same period in June 2013 when 789 tests were conducted of which 166 were positive, refused or failed (21%).

Of the drink drive tests which were administered in the “morning after” period between 5am and 11am (based on time of arrest), 11 returned a positive result.

Those convicted of drink driving can expect to be banned for at least 12 months, receive a fine of up to £5,000 and/or six months in prison. 

Collisions resulting in a fatality, where the driver is under the influence of alcohol can carry a penalty of up to ten years in prison.

If you have any information about drink/drug driving in your area, please call the police on 101, email 101@devonandcornwall.police.uk or in an emergency always call 999. Alternatively you can calvely you can call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org