“Shouldn’t have been on the road, let alone failing a breath test.”
The PSNI have revealed some of the statistics emanating from 2018/19 winter anti-drink drive operation.
During this period, when compared to the same period last year, the number of drivers and motorcyclists found driving under the influence of alcohol had decreased by 10.6%.
Over 11,000 people were tested during this operation and the campaign has resulted in 322 arrests.
According to preliminary figures, 322 people were arrested between 30 November 2018 and 1 January 2019, 38 fewer than the same period in 2017/18.
The authorities also disclosed information on some of the individual arrests, with Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd revealing that the youngest offender was just 14 years old.
“At 14 years of age, the youngest person detected shouldn’t have been on the road – let alone failing a breath test,” Todd said.
“This individual is being dealt with for a number of motoring offences, including Taking and Driving Away. The oldest person detected was 83 years of age. Females accounted for 72 of the 322 arrests, compared with 49 females arrested out of a total of 360 during the previous campaign.”
The offenders are now facing a court appearance, where they will most likely lose their driving licence for one or more years, or be fined. Some of the more serious offenders are at risk of going to jail.
The PSNI also disclosed details of the various offences that occurred on the roads over the Christmas period.
“One person was detected at over four times the drink drive limit, with a reading of 153 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millimetres of breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath,” added Todd.
Elsewhere, after being stopped by the police for travelling at 101 mph at 9am, a driver then subsequently failed a roadside breath test and had an initial reading of 101mg – nearly three times over the drink drive limit.
In another incident, after being involved in a collision, a driver was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. The authorities discovered approximately £3,000 worth of suspected drugs in the vehicle, leading to them being further arrested on suspicion of a number of drug offences.
This year’s operation was also supported by the independent charity Crimestoppers, which gave the public the opportunity to speak up and provide information about drink drivers anonymously.
Looking to the months ahead, Assistant Chief Constable Todd added: “Police will continue to use all the powers and legislation at our disposal, including the authorised checkpoints, to detect people who insist on driving after having taken drugs or alcohol. All motorists need to consider the consequences of their actions. Never take the risk of having even one drink if you are driving. The consequences can be catastrophic.”
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