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Sussex Police reports 128 drink-driving arrests during December
More than a hundred drivers were arrested in December for failing breath tests during the annual Christmas drink-driving crackdown.
Over the four-week campaign Sussex Police conducted a total of 3,987 breath tests, while Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP) continued to put pressure on those who thought that getting behind the wheel after drinking was acceptable.
Sussex Police ran roadside checks at a variety of locations throughout Sussex, all of which were selected on the basis of intelligence highlighting drink-driving issues in previous years.
These roadside checks accounted for 3,269 of the total number of breath tests, and 111 of the arrests.
In addition to this intelligence-led approach, the force also routinely breath tested anyone involved in a collision.
These tests accounted for 358 of the total administered, with 17 resulting in arrests.
The highest number of arrests, 30, came in the first full week of the campaign, between December 3-9.
Young drivers under the age of 25 are a strategic priority group for the SSRP and during the campaign, 14 were arrested for failing the breath test - one of whom had been involved in a collision.
Superintendent Natalie Moloney said: “Yet again, the results of our enforcement activity show that it is only a small minority of motorists who think that it’s acceptable to put their lives - and the lives of others around them - at risk.
“The vast majority of the motoring public understand how dangerous it can be to drive under the influence of alcohol and take appropriate measures to ensure that they don’t have to get behind the wheel after a festive tipple.
“Although Christmas is over, our work to remove drink-drivers from the roads will not stop. The goal of the Police, and the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, is to have a road network free from the fear of being injured by a drunk driver, no matter what the time of year.”
Throughout December, Sussex Police used Facebook and Twitter to spread the Drink Or Drive message, as well as encouraging the community to report any concerns via a dedicated short text number - 65999.
Over the month, 88 reports were submitted by text which helped Sussex Police to direct resources to where they were most needed.
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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