47 drink-drive arrests

TWO weeks into North Yorkshire's Christmas drink-drive campaign and already 47 drink-driving arrests have been made, as North Yorkshire Police continues its zero-tolerance roads policing operation, 'Helical Two'.

The Operation, part of the '95 Alive' partnership's Christmas seasonal campaign to stamp out drink-driving, has so far stopped over 1,500 vehicles and carried out over 1,000 breath tests.

Despite the 47 arrests, police are cautiously optimistic that the 'Don't drink and drive' message is getting through to the majority of drivers. Chief Supt Colin Taylor, who is leading Operation Helical Two, said: "Of over 1,000 drivers stopped, 4.5% tested positive and were arrested.

"That's 4.5% too many, but still well below the national average of 18%. We've breathalysed 25% more people so far this year than at the same time last year and it seems that the message is getting through - that if you drink and drive, we will catch you."

Chris Anderson, Chairman of the '95 Alive' road safety partnership added: "The partnership has distributed thousands of leaflets and drink mats and broadcast hundreds of radio adverts across North Yorkshire and the City of York to make sure the 'don't drink and drive' message is heard. I'm delighted that the majority of the North Yorkshire community is taking heed. But for those who will still persist in drinking and driving this Christmas, be warned: if you're caught, ignorance is no excuse."

To date, through Operation Helical Two, over 900 hours of police patrols have taken place across North Yorkshire's 6,000 miles of roads. This includes 143 hours using cameras in cars to catch road traffic offenders. In addition to 47 arrests for drink-driving, Police has issued warnings, fixed penalty notices or court summonses to over 400 drivers for speeding and around 100 for seat-belt offences. They have also caught over 50 motorists for using a mobile phone while driving and seized around 30 cars.