17/12/10….Drink-drive arrests continue to rise
AS the number of drivers arrested by Thames Valley Police during the first 12 days of this year?s drink-drive campaign continues to rise, the officer leading the operation is warning drivers that if they drink and drive they will be arrested.
Those who provide positive breath tests or who refuse or fail to provide a breath sample when requested, face the prospect of a prison sentence of up to six months as well as losing their driving licence for at least 12 months.
Insp Colin Clark, said: ?Our targeted road checks will continue up to and over the Christmas and New Year period, so the message is simple – if you drive under the influence of drink or drugs, expect to face the consequences.
?So far we have arrested a total of 117 people for drink driving, which is a 21 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
?As this is expected to be the busiest weekend for pre-Christmas parties we are continuing to warn party-goers to think before they drive in the morning after a big night out during the festive season.
?We would also like to make it clear that having an extra drink at the pub at lunch can still take you over the limit and have an effect on the driving of even the most experienced drivers.
Supporting this year?s campaign, double Le Mans-winning, Aston Martin racing driver, Darren Turner proved how alcohol affected his driving performance when he took to the track in a Base Performance Simulator after drinking alcohol.
After completing the Monaco circuit whilst over the legal alcohol limit, Darren said: ?That run was really scary. As a racing driver you are always thinking one step ahead and I think I was about three steps behind. I assumed my performance would drop off a bit but not that much. I couldn?t even put a lap together and I actually found it really scary.
?Usually if you make a mistake you deal with it and re-focus but I found that if I made one mistake it overloaded my brain. I also got really annoyed with people talking in the room and that was strange as normally I wouldn?t even notice that.
?I?m surprised at the deterioration,? he continued. ?I would be terrified to drive a real car when I feel like this. I wouldn?t be happy even going 10mph.?
Insp Colin Clark added: ?If Darren had been on the road every little mistake could have resulted in a collision with another vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian, and he didn?t even have to deal with normal road hazards as he was all alone on a race track.
?The simulator provides a protected environment to demonstrate the effects of alcohol and it has been very interesting to show that you can be the best driver in the world but you are never going to win when you take on alcohol.
?If you are going out and know you will be drinking, organise alternative transport or a designated driver to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the festive period safely.?
The highest reading recorded during this year?s campaign so far has been 138mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, nearly four times over the legal limit of 35mg. This reading was recorded in Earley, near Reading, and a 49-year-old woman has subsequenlty been charged with the offence.
Out of the 117 arrests, 59 per cent (69 people) have been charged with the offence, 26 per cent (30 people) have been bailed and 15 per cent (18 people) have been released without charge.
