Drivers warned of drink dangers as 300 stopped during busy night for festive party-goers
more than 300 breath tests were carried out on drivers by Northamptonshire Police during one of the busiest nights of the year.
The campaign, which was part of Operation Roadsafe, took place in Northampton town centre on Saturday night and two people were arrested for being over the legal drink-drive limit.
Police officers and PCSOs manned two points in St Peter’s Way from 6pm to 9pm and from 9pm to 1am as they carried out random checks on drivers.
Pc David Lee, from the operational tactical unit, said: “The operation was a huge success, not only taking two drink drivers off the road, but several warnings were issued to drivers who did show some level of alcohol in their breath, but were under the limit.”
Police carried out 322 breath tests on drivers, of which two were positive and resulted in arrests.
Two vehicles were seized by police, two endorsable fixed penalties were issued for a driver without car insurance and a driver using their mobile phone whilst driving, and 87 warnings were issued for vehicle defects.
Pc Lee said the campaign was not just about catching drink drivers but also about educating road users about drink-driving.
He said: “It’s quite a big weekend this weekend with Christmas parties and shoppers.
“The response from the public who have been stopped has been really positive.
“The Police emphasis on the Christmas drink-drive campaign is quite simple: education and enforcement.”
He added: “Analysis shows that there is still a large amount of collisions occurring where alcohol is involved. If people drink and drive they are running a serious risk of being killed, injured or ending up under arrest in the back of a police car.
“Anyone charged with drink driving needs to expect a disqualification from driving, which can have massive implications on their job and home life.
“Drivers must also appreciate that if they drink large quantities of alcohol during evening celebrations, they could still be over the limit the following morning. The message is simple: you can’t calculate your alcohol limit, so don’t even try. Hang the keys up this Christmas and take a cab.”
The campaign, which is one of the biggest the force has carried out, will continue until January.
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Comments
There are 16 comments to this article
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bobscrabby
Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 08:27 AMOK UK Exile . you prefer living abroad why do you have to put your unwanted comments on things that don't concern you, try your adopted country news papers .
UK Exile
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 08:55 PMNo, exiled myself as can't stand all the crap that living in the UK brings. Much better life living abroad.
bobscrabby
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 08:36 AMUK Exile , so your mornings are spent gargling sucking sweets etc . trying to be clever , and no I am not an expert in the breath test area , I just say that the limit should be set at the lowest possible , other countries have much lower than UK . ( why were you exiled been naughty )
UK Exile
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 03:40 AMbobscrabby, I take it your an expert on alcohol tests. I work on a site(not in the Uk) that is alcohol free but we still need to do a breath test every morning. I know a few people that have rinsed there mouth with mouthwash and then 10 minutes later failed the test. Also, we tried it once with Liquer sweets and 30 mins later was still getting a failed reading, so to state that its untrue is a load of crap. Go buy yourself a breathalyzer and try it.
UK Exile
Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 03:40 AMbobscrabby, I take it your an expert on alcohol tests. I work on a site(not in the Uk) that is alcohol free but we still need to do a breath test every morning. I know a few people that have rinsed there mouth with mouthwash and then 10 minutes later failed the test. Also, we tried it once with Liquer sweets and 30 mins later was still getting a failed reading, so to state that its untrue is a load of crap. Go buy yourself a breathalyzer and try it.
bobscrabby
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 08:25 AMUK Exile (Blizzy boy)?.!. A lot of tosh if you brush and rinse correctly it will not show , there is no reason at all to dive if you have imbibed any alcohol , tales of food are also untrue and only used by irresponsible idiots to escape fines and points .
UK Exile
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 08:49 PMBobscrabby, the reason for not having a zero limit is that many normal foods and products contain alcohol, i.e cakes, sweets, mouthwash etc. The limit isn't there so you are ok to have halffull pint but because of the above products. How would you feel if you lost your licence because you brushed your teeth.
bobscrabby
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 03:20 PMLimit should be zero , if you drink at all JUST DON'T DRIVE . easy .
20th Century Cynic
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 01:21 PMThanks "common sense" As long as I avoid you and your mates I'm sure I will
lady muck
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 11:55 AMmacbeth...oh..come on...it's Xmas and I, for one always take comfort that there is at least one person in the county who is barmier than me.
macbeth
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 11:20 AMDear C and E, Can you ban Jackson using his PCs IP address so we don't get his inane Comments?
lady muck
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 11:19 AM20th century cynic is correct.....check the out of town pubs, clubs etc. An additional penalty not mentioned is the vast insurance premium loadings....a financial penalty being well in excess of any fine.
Removed by moderator
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 10:54 AMComment removed by moderator
Billing Guy
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 10:24 AMSo Common Sense do you think it is OK for people to go to local village pubs, have a few beers then drive home?!
Common sense
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 09:52 AMHappy Christmas 20th Century Cynic ...hope you enjoy yourself..ho ho ho
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