Christmas Drink Drive campaign brings some cheer!

Date published: 11/01/2006

Greater  Manchester  Police has announced that 7,132 breath tests were administered over the Christmas Drink Drive campaign.

The  month-long  Drink Drive initiative saw 365 positive, refused or failed breath  tests, which suggests that the public is now heeding the message of not to drink and drive.

There were 712 collisions involving injury, of which 78 drivers responsible tested positive, which equates to 11 per cent.

Between  the  1st  and 31st December 2005 there were on average 230 tests a day with approximately12 testing positive.

Police  officers  also carried out 19 tests for driving under the influence of drugs, of which, four proved positive.

Chief  Inspector  Haydn  Roberts,  GMP's Traffic Planning Unit said: "These figures show the majority of drivers in Greater Manchester act responsibly. However,  they also indicate there are individuals who still think they are safe to drive after drinking alcohol and this has resulted in accidents.

"We  will  continue to work at getting the message across to motorists that the  only  option  is not to drink. There is always an alternative, such as getting  a taxi, bus or designating one driver to drink soft drinks. You're not  only putting your own life at risk when you drink and drive, but lives of innocent people too.  Think about it, don't drink and drive."