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More drink drivers caught
Operation: Police say more drivers have become complacent about drink-driving after figures revealed a higher percentage of motorists have been caught over the limit in 2012
More people have been caught drink driving over the festive period in Lancashire, new figures reveal today.
Police chiefs behind the annual Christmas crackdown today said the findings could be evidence of more drivers being “complacent” about getting behind the wheel over the limit.
But they also said it demonstrates officers are taking a tougher line than ever on offenders.
A total of 18,964 tests were administered in December, with 274 people, or 1.4 per cent, failing the test and seven people, or 0.04 per cent, refusing to provide a specimen. This means the total number of people who failed or refused the test was 281 or 1.5 per cent.
Last year, 13,249 tests were administered with 168, or 1.3 per cent, failing the test or refusing to provide a specimen.
Supt Richard Morgan, of Lancashire Police, said: “This year we have tested more drivers than ever as part of the campaign. We have had a huge focus on finding those responsible for flouting the law.
“The number of people caught drink driving or refusing to provide a specimen has increased this year, which is indicative of our approach to better targeting of offenders. However it does highlight that perhaps some motorists are becoming complacent and taking chances.
“We are committed to reducing the number of people injured and killed on our roads and it is worrying that there are still motorists that are getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol.”
In 2011, 1.7 per cent of those tested aged 25 and under failed the test. The failure rate for over 25s was 1.2 per cent.
But during the latest campaign, 2.7 per cent of under 25s tested failed or refused the test. Supt Morgan added: “Of the 281 people that tested positive or refused to provide a specimen, 79 or 34.6 per cent, were under the age of 25.” In Preston, 1.2 per cent of tests were failed during 2012.
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Weather for Preston
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
