Drink-drive figures rise in Surrey (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Drink-drive figures rise in Surrey

1:26pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News

The number of motorists caught drink-driving in Surrey over the festive period has gone up.

Surrey Police last week released its latest drink-drive figures for the holiday period, which showed there were more drivers caught behind the wheel while over the limit, despite fewer roadside tests being carried out.

The Force carried out a total of 1,564 tests during its annual drink-drive crackdown, which ran from December 1 to January 1.

The results found 69 people testing positive for alcohol –  nearly 4.5% of the total number of motorists breathalysed.

Compared to the previous year, the figures showed a slight increase in drink-driving, when just over three per cent of the total number of motorists breathalysed, failed their breath tests.  In the most recent police campaign, nearly 100 fewer tests were carried out at the roadside, but there were 18 more positive readings.

Duncan Brown, head of road safety and traffic management at Surrey Police, said: "It is disappointing to see any rise in the number of drivers who test positive for alcohol, and we will continue to target the selfish small minority who drink and drive on our roads without a thought for other road-users, themselves and their families.” He said: "It seems young people are still prepared to risk drinking and driving.

“Worryingly, although 12% less under 25's were breath-tested, the number of those who failed was double the previous year – 16 in 2012 compared with eight in 2011.” He continued: "These seasonal figures also demonstrate that the drivers who top the latest drink-drive league for the total number of failed breath tests are those in the 25 to 34 year age group. “Also shown to be disproportionately represented in the breath-test failure rate were those individuals within the 55 to 64 year age group. “Clearly there is work to be done to engage with both these groups of motorists who need to be specifically targeted to address their driving behaviours.” But he added: "On a positive note, the group which seems to be most aware of the dangers of drink-driving and to heed the preventative messages are women, representing just over a quarter of failed    breath tests provided during the initiative.”

In a statement the Force said: “Surrey Police will continue to educate and inform drivers of the dangers of drink driving and plans to run similar campaigns during the year in support of the Surrey Drive SMART scheme and government initiatives.”