No hiding place for drink drivers

EFFORTS to clamp down on drink and drug drivers during the festive period are already making an impact according to police.

Launched at Catterick Garrison on 27 November, the month-long campaign by the “95 Alive” York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership has seen a wave of police and awareness activity around the county.

From an enforcement point of view, North Yorkshire Police has carried out more than 500 breath-tests on motorists. Of those, 13 motorists were found to be over the prescribed limit for alcohol and are set to appear at court.

Inspector Dave Brown, North Yorkshire Police’s Head of Strategic Roads Policing, said: “It is pleasing that the vast majority of people are taking heed of the warnings and advice about the dangers of drink and drug driving which are being vigorously promoted by the 95 Alive Partnership. Generally the public accept that this offence is socially and morally unacceptable.

“However, the fact that 13 motorists have blatantly ignored the warnings and got behind the wheel when unfit to drive is highly disappointing. They can count themselves lucky that their selfish, anti-social and illegal actions have not resulted in serious or even fatal consequences.

“They now have to face up to the personal and family embarrassment of appearing at court, being handed a hefty fine and banned from the roads. A conviction for drink driving can ruin your life.

“But as I have stated before, if people are prepared to risk other people’s lives as well as their own by drink-driving, then being put before the courts is the very least they can expect.

"Anyone suspected of consuming alcohol and driving, committing a moving traffic offence or involved in a road collision WILL be breathalysed. So if you are driving, just ask yourself: 'How much will that next round cost me?'"