Over 90 Arrested During Summer Anti Drink Drive Clampdown

Over 6,000 breath tests were administered throughout North Wales during the recent month-long Anti Drink and Drug Drive Summer Campaign.

Led by South Wales Police, officers stepped up the pressure in a concerted effort to deter people from driving motor vehicles whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

During the June campaign, a total of 15,485 breath tests were carried out throughout Wales with 358 being positive. North Wales Police administered 6,351 breath tests with 94 being positive which equates to 1.5%.

The highest reading in the North Wales area was 130mg with the legal limit being 35mg. As a result a 37-year-old man from Prestatyn was charged and bailed to appear before Prestatyn Magistrates Court on Tuesday July 22nd. He was arrested during the early hours of Sunday 29th June.

Chief Inspector Darren Wareing, who is in charge of North Wales Police’ Roads Policing Unit said: “It’s a shame that in this day and age people are continuing to ignore our warnings and think it is acceptable to drive under the influence of alcohol and over the legal limit. Even with all the warnings 94 people were found to be positive which is disappointing.

“The absolute disregard these drivers have for others, and the potential damage they cause to families is unacceptable.

“We run two anti-drink and drug drive campaigns a year, and yet the public still have to pay millions of pounds in police and emergency service time because these drivers don’t get the message.”

He added: “With the current warm weather, more people may be tempted to have a few drinks, at barbecues or whilst drinking in beer gardens during the afternoons or after work, and may drive without thinking of the consequences.

“If people need to get somewhere there are numerous alternatives to driving under the influence, including public transport, taxi services or getting a lift from someone they know.”

North Wales Police has a strategy around enforcing the ‘Fatal 5’ offences which are drink and drug driving, dangerous driving including unnecessary risk taking, speeding, failing to wear a seat belt and using a mobile phone whilst driving.

Earlier this week the force launched a two week crackdown on illegal drivers in North Wales.

Chief Inspector Wareing added: “We are committed to assisting in reducing casualties on the road through the use of targeted operations around high risk groups of people and locations while enforcing the ‘Fatal 5’ offences.”

“It is important to stress that the work does not stop here – any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive, campaigns such as this raise awareness and we will continue to target those breaking the law as part of daily policing.”

Anyone with information regarding individuals who are believed to drive whilst over the legal limit or drive under the influence of drugs, can contact North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.