More than 2,000 people arrested for drink-driving
MORE than 2,300 people were arrested for drinkdriving on Welsh roads in the space of just one year, statistics have revealed.
The statistics have been provided by all four police forces across Wales – South Wales Police, Dyfed-Powys Police, Gwent Police and North Wales Police.
The data has been compiled between August 31, 2018 and August 31, 2019, with each force recording hundreds of drink-driving related arrests within that time.
Despite South Wales Police covering a geographically small part of Wales (812 square miles compared to the 4,230 square miles overseen by Dyfed-Powys Police), the force area is by far the most populous, with around 1.3m people living in the region, including in the cities of Cardiff and Swansea.
Despite the larger population, South Wales Police made 182 drink-drive related arrests between August 31, 2018 and August 31, 2019 – 762 fewer than North Wales Police made in the same period and 410 fewer than DyfedPowys Police, the next least.
Combined, all four police forces in Wales made 2,313 drink-driving arrests within the 12-month period.
The legal limit in Wales and England is currently set at 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, and 107 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine. However, road safety charity Brake is calling on the Government to lower the limit in a “zerotolerance” approach to drink-driving.
A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said:“If caught drink or drug driving, you are looking at facing a ban from driving, a fine of up to £5,000 and possibly prison.
“If you suspect someone is driving under the influence of drink or drugs, call the police immediately, or your can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”