Drive drink and drug free

As national drink-drive figures are released today (Thursday 17 January 2013), the Safer Roads Partnership in West Mercia and Warwickshire is reporting a slight drop in those people that provided a positive breath test¹ following a collision. 

In West Mercia and Warwickshire over the Christmas period 2012, those testing positive following a collision has fallen from 4% over December 2011 down to 3% over December 2012.

The overall percentage of positive breath tests has also shown a decrease; 163 people either refused to give a test or tested positive for drink or drugs over December 2012, just 4% of those breathalysed in total.  This compares to 6% of those tested over the region during the same period in 2011, showing a very encouraging downward trend. 

Posters, beermats and other material was targeted at local pubs and clubs throughout the region designed to make people think about the consequences of drink or drug driving.  At the heart of the activity was a series of online blogs and videos of five everyday characters who unwittingly take a risk.

The campaign supported the month-long winter drink drive campaign that was launched on 1 December 2012 by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Figures from the Safer Roads Partnership indicate that, over the past 3 years², 18 people lost their lives in West Mercia and Warwickshire, and 171 were seriously injured following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor. 

Vicki Bristow, Communications Manager at the Safer Roads Partnership, said:

“Although the percentage drop isn’t large, it’s encouraging that the number of positive breath tests we are seeing overall and after collisions is steadily reducing.  However, there are still a significant number of motorists ignoring the simple message that drinking or taking drugs and driving ruins lives.  Overall West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police  conducted 5,425 breath tests throughout December 2012; this was a massive increase on previous years (nearly 30% more) and shows commitment from both forces to tackling this problem to bring down the number of positive tests even further. 

“It’s worrying that there are still motorists out there that think they can risk having a drink and driving.  Our simple message to them is it’s not worth it – driving after drinking or taking drugs will continue to be a focus over this year to ensure West Mercia’s and Warwickshire’s roads become safer for all.” 

Superintendent Lee Davenport of West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police commented:

“It’s encouraging that the percentage of motorists testing positive is decreasing, showing that the message is getting through.  However despite our many warnings over the festive period and throughout the year there are still far too many irresponsible drivers ignoring the devastating consequences that drinking and driving can cause for them, their family, friends and other road users.  Our figures show that we are moving in the right direction but enforcing the drink driving law is a year round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week activity for West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police, and will continue to be a priority throughout 2013.”

Further information

1. The term positive also includes those that refused or failed.

Positive is when a driver is proven by the breathalyser to be over the legal limit

Refused is when a driver refuses to give an officer a specimen of breath

Failed is when a driver offers to give a specimen of breath, but it is not sufficient to determine a result

2. Local collision figures

Shropshire

Over the past 3 years*, 6 people lost their lives in Shropshire and 35 were seriously injured following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor. 

Warwickshire

Over the past 3 years*, 7 people lost their lives in Warwickshire and 94 were seriously injured following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor.

Herefordshire

Over the past 3 years*, 2 people lost their lives in Herefordshire and 13 were seriously injured following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor.

Worcestershire

Over the past 3 years*, 3 people lost their lives in Worcestershire and 29 were seriously injured following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor.

* Data collected and recorded by Warwickshire and West Mercia Police Nov 2009 – Nov 2012.