Drink drive message goes ignored as 7,100 arrested in December
Businesses are being urged to monitor their younger fleet drivers after breath-test stats over the Christmas and New Year period flagged a concerning failure rate amongst under 25s.
Police officers tested 156,569 drivers throughout England and Wales as part of its December-long campaign targeting drink and drug drivers.
Of the 7,124 motorists that tested positive for drug use, or refused or failed a test, 2,074 of them were under the age of 25; a major cause for concern in the view of Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
“That young drivers continue to be the worst offenders is worrying,” commented Neil.
“Our research shows that half of young drivers don’t know how much they can drink and still be under the limit, so the message is not getting through to them.
“This suggests that lack of education and confusion over safe limits in today’s drinking culture of huge glasses and ever changing alcoholic mixes may be a key factor in drink driving, especially for this age group.”
The figures released by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) show a rise of 0.64% despite 13,983 fewer tests being administered compared to December 2010.
Irresponsible
Deputy Chief Constable Suzette Davenport – who leads ACPO’s Roads Policing – underlined how far reaching the consequences of drink and drug driving can be.
“It’s not only socially irresponsible but it raises serious issues for those that ignore the risks,” she explained.
“Those convicted are likely to face a lengthy driving ban and possible loss of jobs and livelihoods with some even facing imprisonment.”
The findings made for a disappointing read for Kevin Clinton, Head of Road Safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
“Drink driving kills and maims,” he said. “Provisional figures show that 250 people were killed in drink-drive accidents on Great Britain’s roads in 2010 – accounting for 14 of all road fatalities.
“In addition, 1,230 people were seriously injured and 8,220 people were slightly injured in accidents involving someone who was over the legal alcohol limit. These casualty figures plus today’s Christmas campaign figures from ACPO illustrate the fact that we cannot ease up on the fight to keep drink drivers off our roads.”
Go without
DDC Davenport believes that the best way to ensure safe driving is to avoid drugs and alcohol altogether.
“Even just the one drink can significantly impair your judgement and for that reason I recommend drivers don’t drink alcohol and drive,” she added.
“Again, like previous years, results show that if you drive whilst under the influence, you are at greater risk of being involved in a collision. 7% of people tested after a collision were found to be under the influence compared to 4.1% for routine tests. Once again this shows a clear, demonstrable link between drinking and drug driving and crashing.
“Driving under the influence of any substance, whether it is alcohol or drugs is unacceptable. Alcohol and drugs can affect your ability to judge speed and distances, reduce concentration and delay reaction speed. Worst of all it can kill, and that’s a life sentence no-one would want to live with.”
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