PSNI catch 100 drunk drivers a week

More than 100 drunk drivers a week are being caught by PSNI officers in the North in the run up to Christmas.

A "we warned you" message was issued by the Police Service as they released figures today showing 217 drivers were detected to be over the limit in the first two weeks of the annual winter campaign mounted by the PSNI.

Superintendent Bill Brown said the detection rate reflected a robust approach being taken by police.

He said: “We warned at the outset that people who drove after drinking were likely to be caught. The fact that we are averaging around 100 detections a week shows we are delivering on that promise.”

He said if an irresponsible minority was determined to drink and drive they could be assured police were determined to catch them.

The police chief said the vast majority of the public realised driving after taking drink or drugs was shameful and dangerous.

“For those who choose to ignore all the advice and warnings there will inevitably be only one route and that is to the courts where they will lose their licences, ” he said.

Efforts to catch the law breaking driver were being stepped up and the results were there for all to see, he said, warning: “There will be no let up.“

The PSNI said 47% of breath tests were carried out between midnight and 3am.

Of the 200 plus caught out, 77 were two times over the limit, 24 three times over the limit and two drivers four times over the limit.