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20 Jan 2012
Police in Cheshire have said they are "seriously
concerned" about the number of young and elderly drivers
who ignore warnings about drinking.
Figures just released show that during the Christmas campaign to
stop drivers drinking or taking drugs, more than a
quarter of the people arrested were under 25 years
old. Thirty nine per cent were
under thirty.
At the other end of the age range, eighteen per
cent of the drivers arrested were aged fifty or
over.
Assistant Chief Constable Ruth Purdie said,
The figures are very similar to those for the previous year and
they are disturbing.
We consistently highlight the fact that drinking alcohol
or drug- taking do not mix with driving. Our enforcement
measures are very high profile, especially over Christmas. It seems
some younger drivers are still not getting the message and some
older drivers have lost sight of lessons they may have learned
years ago.
Over the Christmas and New Year period, some had risked having a
couple of drinks and were surprised to find they were over the
limit. Others felt they would be O.K. because they had had
something to eat as well as a few drinks.
In fact, just one drink impairs your ability to
react quickly and efficiently to situations which develop. The only
safe way to approach this issue is not to drink at all if
you intend to drive.
Some drivers felt having a few drinks was all right because they
were only travelling a short distance. That is a completely
misguided approach. If you are behind the wheel and you
have been drinking or taking drugs you are a danger to
yourself and everyone else, whatever
length your journey may be.
Over the Christmas period 181 drivers were
arrested for drink-drive or drug-drive offences in the
Cheshire Police area. They will now face the consequences of what
they did.
The enforcement action is an important part of keeping the roads
safe. Drivers should be aware that it will continue
throughout 2012.
- ACC Ruth Purdie, Cheshire Constabulary
