Poor public transport ‘may contribute’ to levels of drink-driving in rural areas
MORE motorists are charged with drink-driving in largely rural areas, a UK-wide investigation suggests.
Figures obtained by the Press Association indicate Lincolnshire prosecutes the most per population, followed by North Wales, Warwickshire, Dyfed-Powys and North Yorkshire.
The results, based on Freedom of Information requests, prompted calls for better public transport in rural areas and warnings to anyone tempted to drink and drive over the festive period.
A total of 31 police forces out of 45 provided figures over a 12 month period to May 2017. The PSNI was not included in the investigation.
The results showed that Lincolnshire charged 1,035 motorists, 14 per 10,000 population. North Wales Police was second with 11.2 charges per 10,000, followed by Warwickshire Police with 10.5, Dyfed-Powys with 9.5 and North Yorkshire with 9.2.
Inspector Ewan Gell of Lincolnshire’s serious collision investigation
unit, said the figures showed officers were “skilled at catching offenders”.
But he added: “If we are at the top of that chart I think there is a problem with drink-driving in Lincolnshire and we need to work very carefully to get the education message across to make sure we get those figures down. The only way you can change drink and drug-driving behaviour is by fear of getting caught,
and what these figures say to me is that we are good at catching people.”
Tory MP John Hayes, whose South Holland and The Deepings seat is in the county, suggested the problem may be down to scarcity of public transport in some areas.
“Drink-driving is clearly a problem in Lincolnshire and it does have its consequences. I am pleased Lincolnshire Police take it very seriously and proud they have charged so many offenders. It’s our job to now get the education message out there that it will not be tolerated.”
AA president Edmund King also said the figures could relate to poorer public transport, adding: “It could also be down to more targeted police enforcement but, whatever the reasons, there is no excuse for drink-driving.”
Police Scotland had the highest overall total at 3,797 charges. However, the force covers the biggest area and the second largest population, and has a lower legal limit than the rest of the UK, at 22 micrograms per 100ml of breath, compared to 35 micrograms.
Chief Superintendent Stewart Carle of Police Scotland revealed the trend was actually downwards. He said: “Overall, the trend in Scotland is gradually reducing and we are ever alert to ensuring new generations of drivers know and comply with the laws. There is no ‘safe limit’ and driving while intoxicated puts the driver and other road users at greater risk of serious injury.”