Summer drink-drive campaign hailed a success (From This is The West Country)

Summer drink-drive campaign hailed a success

7:30pm Thursday 9th July 2009

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MORE than 170 people were arrested during Avon and Somerset's summer drink drive campaign last month.

The campaign was part of a national move to target irresponsible and dangerous drivers and ran from June 1 to June 30.

In total almost 18,500 motorists were stopped checked across Avon and Somerset and 174 were arrested - of those arrested 45 were under the age of 25.

Eighteen people in the Somerset East police district - which is based in Yeovil - were arrested during the campaign.

Chief Inspector Polly King said: "This campaign was about reminding people that drinking alcohol and driving is a lethal combination.

"We stop-checked twice as many vehicles as last year, but arrested 50 less people for drink-driving offences, which is a credit to Operation Tonic, as it highlights that our message is really getting across to motorists.

"Everybody is aware of the dangers, but there are still the reckless few who are prepared to gamble on others and their own lives."

Each year 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured nationally on our roads in drink drive related crashes. In Avon and Somerset, nine people lost their lives in 2008 and 19 were seriously injured as a result of drink-drive collisions.

CI King added: "Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink could lead to a penalty of six months imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a minimum 12 month driving ban.

"Campaigns like this reinforce the message that drinking and getting behind the wheel of a car is unacceptable. We will continue to show drivers that they will get caught if they drink and drive and there are severe consequences when they do."

Arrest figures: Bristol – 71; South Gloucestershire – 25; Somerset East – 18; North Somerset – 24; Somerset West – 20; Bath and North East Somerset – 16.

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