Police detected 48 drink drivers during campaign

Police have detected almost 25% more drink drivers in the Craigavon area while statistics reveal a 40% increase in the number of drivers and motorcyclists arrested for drink driving across Northern Ireland.
Pacemaker Press 26/11/2015
Inspector for Road Policing Rosie Leech  as Police launch the winter drink drive operation at Sprucefield near Lisburn on Thursday.

'There is no safe limit, so never drink and drive' is the key message from police as the 2015/16 winter drink drive operation began early this morning (26 November).

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd explained, "During last year's winter drink drive operation, we detected 270 people who took the risk of killing or injuring themselves, their family, friends or other innocent road users by deciding to drive after drinking.

"Considering that in some instances, we stopped drivers who were so drunk, they could barely stand when they got out of their vehicle, just beggars belief. At the other end of the spectrum, we detected some drivers who had gone out socialising and not intended to drive, but their circumstances changed and they decided to take a risk. A risk which resulted in a driving ban," he said.

In addition to running operations to catch drinPacemaker Press 26/11/2015
Inspector for Road Policing Rosie Leech  as Police launch the winter drink drive operation at Sprucefield near Lisburn on Thursday.

'There is no safe limit, so never drink and drive' is the key message from police as the 2015/16 winter drink drive operation began early this morning (26 November).

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd explained, "During last year's winter drink drive operation, we detected 270 people who took the risk of killing or injuring themselves, their family, friends or other innocent road users by deciding to drive after drinking.

"Considering that in some instances, we stopped drivers who were so drunk, they could barely stand when they got out of their vehicle, just beggars belief. At the other end of the spectrum, we detected some drivers who had gone out socialising and not intended to drive, but their circumstances changed and they decided to take a risk. A risk which resulted in a driving ban," he said.

In addition to running operations to catch drin
Pacemaker Press 26/11/2015 Inspector for Road Policing Rosie Leech as Police launch the winter drink drive operation at Sprucefield near Lisburn on Thursday. 'There is no safe limit, so never drink and drive' is the key message from police as the 2015/16 winter drink drive operation began early this morning (26 November). Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd explained, "During last year's winter drink drive operation, we detected 270 people who took the risk of killing or injuring themselves, their family, friends or other innocent road users by deciding to drive after drinking. "Considering that in some instances, we stopped drivers who were so drunk, they could barely stand when they got out of their vehicle, just beggars belief. At the other end of the spectrum, we detected some drivers who had gone out socialising and not intended to drive, but their circumstances changed and they decided to take a risk. A risk which resulted in a driving ban," he said. In addition to running operations to catch drin

According to police figures there were 48 evidential specimens taken during the 2015-16 campaign, compared to 38 in 2014-15 (an increase of 23.1%)

Across the province the number arrested for drink driving during the police winter drink drive operation, which ran between November 27, 2015 and January 2, 2016, has increased by just over 40%, compared to the same period in 2014-2015.

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Police made 396 drink driving arrests provincewide, which is 114 more than during the same period last year.

This figure includes motorists who were unfit to drive, or who were unable or refused to give a sample. It also includes individuals who were caught on more than one occasion.

The youngest person detected was just 16 years of age and the oldest 83. Almost five times as many males as females were detected; 325 males and 71 females were detected during the operation.

The highest reading recorded was 140mg; the legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. 4,231 preliminary breath tests were carried out.

Assistant Chief Constable, Alan Todd, said, “It’s disappointing a minority of people completely disregard the safety of themselves and others by continuing this shameful and dangerous practice.