Published at 09:58, Thursday, 17 January 2013

Motorists continued to drink and drive over the festive period, despite a police campaign.

A breath test is administered

Figures released by the Association of Chief Police Officers today show that Cumbria police breath-tested 2,865 people between December 1 and January 1.

Of those, 2,367 were tested as a result of road side checks, while 498 were carried out after a crash.

In total, 82 - or 2.8 per cent - failed or refused to provide a test or tested positive.

This compares to 3,345 in the same period the previous year, of which 88 were either positive or did not provide a test.

Sergeant Joanne Walker, who led the campaign, said: “The number of people who were stopped and tested was slightly lower this year which could be an indication that there were less drivers on the road who officers suspected to be driving whilst under the influence of alcohol.

“However, it is still disappointing that 2.8 per cent of those who were stopped were found to be under the influence of alcohol.

"We cannot over emphasise the risk that people take with their lives and the lives of other road uses when driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk