‘STARTLING’ NUMBER OF DRINK-DRIVE ARRESTS
POLICE SLAM ‘STARTLING’ NUMBER OF SUSPECTS
POLICE have issued a drink-drive alert after officers caught 54 motorists suspected of driving over the limit over three days.
Greater Manchester Police said yeseterday that 54 drivers were arrested for drink-driving and four for drug-driving within a 72-hour period.
One motorist in Leigh caught more than four times the limit ‘posed an unimaginable risk to the public,’ according to traffic police.
Officers have now issued a warning amid concern that drink-driving is on the rise again after decades of campaigning to convince drivers of the dangers of getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol.
On Sunday a woman was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving in Leigh following an anonymous tip-off. She was found to be four times the limit for driving. She provided a reading which showed she had 143 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath when the legal limit for driving is 35.
“This lady posed an unimaginable risk to the public,” tweeted GMP Traffic.
In another incident, shocked traffic police in a liveried BMW X5 patrol car watched as a Jeep pulled over and the passenger got out to relieve himself.
The driver then moved over into the passenger’s seat before the passenger got behind the wheel. Both were arrested and blew over the limit.
GMP launched it’s ‘None For The Road’ Christmas drink-drive campaign two weeks early due to large number of deaths and injuries in Greater Manchester. But senior police officers say some motorists haven’t got the message.
Inspector Harrison White, of GMP’s Road Policing Unit, said: “These figures are startling, particularly when you consider that last year 149 people were arrested for the same offences in the first 16 days of December.
“To see this many people arrested for drink and drug-driving in one weekend is unacceptable. These drink and drugdrivers are not only putting their own lives at risk but those of other members of the public.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs can significantly impair your reaction times which can have catastrophic consequences. It only takes a second to lose control of your car which can have a long-term devastating impact not only on your life, but the lives of others.
“Our messages over the festive period and throughout the year is simple – don’t risk it, the only way to stay safe is to have none for the road.”