552 charged in North's drink-drive crackdown

More than 500 drivers in the North are being prosecuted for drink-driving offences following a police crackdown during Christmas and the New Year, it was revealed today.

A total of 552 people were found drink-driving between November 22 and January 2 – a rise of 23 on the figure during the same period in 2004/2005.

More than 3,700 motorists were screened over the period this year. Men accounted for 495 of the 552 who tested positive.

Police also confirmed that 29 drivers were three times the alcohol limit, two were four times the limit and 45 people tested positive the morning after, between 6am and 11am.

Some motorists were unfit to drive and others were unable or refused to give a sample.

Acting chief inspector Rosie Leech, of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Road Policing Development Branch warned motorists that officers were determined to catch drink-drivers and bring them before the courts.

“It is disappointing that during the period from November 22 to January 2, some 552 people decided to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking,” she said.

“This, of course, means 552 people are now looking into the New Year with the inevitable prospect of losing their licences, and perhaps in some cases their livelihoods.”

Police have mounted Operation Viper in rural and urban areas in the North over the past year to identify a range of motoring offences.

There has also been an aggressive joint advertising campaign on both sides of the Irish border to highlight the dangers of drink-driving.

Ms Leech said the latest advert showed just one drink could impair a driver’s judgment.

“The message from police is straightforward,” she said. “If you drink and drive then there is a good chance that you will be caught and that chance is increasing all the time.

“We made it clear that there would be no hiding place for those who drink and drive. The figures from across Northern Ireland show that we lived up to that determination.”