Drink-drive blitz for North Yorkshire

POLICE officers will be out in force on North Yorkshire's roads next week as they begin a tough enforcement campaign against drink-driving on Monday.

Drug-drivers will also be targeted as the force participates in the week long Europe-wide clamp-down starting from 4 June.

The Association of Chief Police Officers lead on Europe-wide safety campaigns is Adam Briggs, currently Assistant Chief Constable at Cleveland Police. On Monday he takes up the post of Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire, a force responsible for policing 6,000 miles of roads.

He said: "Driving plus drink or drugs equals deadly danger. It is as simple as that.

"40,000 people are killed and 1,600,000 injured on Europe's roads every year. Approximately 5% of drivers who are under the influence of drink or drugs are responsible for 20% of these road collisions."

Mr Briggs added that 1,834 drivers and riders in North Yorkshire were found to be over the prescribed drink limit last year, "a totally unacceptable number.

"That means that every day there are five drivers or riders who feel they have the right to gamble with other people's lives. That attitude cannot be tolerated."

Throughout the week officers will be breath-testing all drivers and riders involved in crashes, will be mounting extra patrols, and will be setting up surprise stop-checks across the county.

And Mr Briggs warned: "There will also be a major campaign on this theme in August, but anyone considering mixing driving with drink or drugs in the meantime should be aware that this is not just an issue to be dealt with strongly at Christmas or during the Summer months - this is a year-round problem that we will combat with unabated energy."