Police clampdown on drink driving

Kent: Police plan clamp on drink driving Kent Police has launched its Christmas campaign to clamp down on drink driving.

Officers saw an increase in motorists driving while over the limit at the beginning of December.

In the first two weeks, 18 people were charged with drink driving about a 50 per cent rise from average levels at other times of the year.

Fourteen of these people were charged after having been in a traffic accident, while the others were randomly checked.

Efforts to counter drink driving in the county are similar to last year.

Kent Police's Traffic Management Unit is leading the fight county-wide, while North Kent Police patrols are carrying out random checks.

Officers are concerned motorists are unaware they might be over the limit the morning after a heavy night as festive celebrations get into full swing.

Kent's Sergeant Jerry Hollands said: "If you drink at a party, assume that you may still be a risk to yourself and other road users the next day.

"A few hours or even a night's sleep is not enough.

"Your judgement may still be impaired."

Kent Police will be adding its statistics gathered from December 18 to January 2, 2002 to a national record, as recommended by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Sutton:

One in 10 drivers stopped by police in the last week have been over the limit.

This alarming statistic proves Sutton residents are failing miserably to take heed of the nationwide don't drink and drive message.

Police hope the release of such figures will set alarm bells ringing among motorists who may be tempted to indulge a little too much in the run-up to Christmas.

The stark reminder comes following a week of police night patrols across the borough in a dedicated drink drive clampdown.

Of more than 100 cars pulled over during the one week campaign, as many as 13 were arrested for drink-drive related offences.

There were further arrests including two who were caught behind the wheel despite being disqualified. On top of that w ere speeding offences.

Eleven drivers were pulled over for serious contra vention of speed limits and a shocking further 70 were verbally warned for less serious speed infringements and minor traffic offences after their breath tests proved negative.

A Sutton police spokesman said: "Is it wo rth the possibility of injuring or killing themselves or another, all for t he sake of a drink?"

When accidents do happen, the clean-up operation is in the hands of the Collision Investigation Unit, a dedicated team of police officers based at Hampton Traffic Garage.

One officer at the unit told the Guardian of the harrowing consequences involved in drink driving.

Sergeant John McAree added: "Last year there was a slight increase i n accident numbers. The message does not seem to be getting through to the over-40s. The youngsters are OK, but it's educating the older ones."

He added there was also a growing concern that both illegal and prescribed drugs have been the cause of many accidents behind the wheel.

He added: "We are dealing with fatal accidents all the time and the highest rate is among pedestrians.

"My main message would be if you are going to drive, you don't drink. It's as simple as that."

North London:

Eleven people have been arrested for drink-driving this month during an operation by Loughton police, where some 150 drivers have given roadside breath tests.

On Monday alone, two people were arrested and charged with drink driving when officers set up a checkpoint in Chigwell Lane.

Operation Finstock aims to target burglars and recover stolen goods, but drivers were also stopped.

The police team has been using an automatic number plate recognition system, which reads a vehicle registration plate and scans a database of UK number plates. Within seconds, officers can be alerted to a suspect.

Sergeant Richard Phillibrown, who is heading the operation, said: "Loughton police was providing an overt presence in the community. Areas have their own officer who can be contacted at Loughton police station. We want to provide the public with a personal face."

In total, Loughton community policing team officers have stopped more than 300 vehicles at various locations, and carried out more than 30 searches.

Officers also used the operation to raise public awareness by speaking to drivers and passengers about wearing seat belts.

Chief Inspector Ivor Harvey said: "To date the initiative has seen a reduction in levels of recorded crime and an increase in the number of detections. It's disappointing that despite the national media campaign so many people have provided positive breath tests.

"The results to date reinforce our mission statement to take a lead in making Essex a safer place to live and we'll continue to take a proactive approach to crime in the Loughton, Buckhurst Hill and Chigwell areas, dealing positively with all offenders."