Provisional figures released today by the Police Service of Northern (PSNI) show that the number of drivers and motorcyclists arrested for drink driving during the Police winter drink drive operation, which ran between 27 November 2015 and 2 January 2016, has risen by just over 40% compared to the same period in 2014-2015
Speaking about the figures Board Chair Anne Connolly said: “Whilst the rise in the number of arrests for drink driving shows that the police operation has been very effective, it is shocking that there were 114 more arrests compared to the same period last year (396 arrests in total). Clearly some people are still not getting the message of the dangers and serious consequences of drinking and driving.
Reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions, of which drink driving is a cause, is a key priority for the Board. This is reflected in the latest Policing Plan which proposes a multi - agency approach to tackling this serious issue.
The Policing and Community Partnerships (PCSPs) with the PSNI actively supported the ‘Never Ever Drink and Drive’ campaign which ran over the Christmas period. This message needs to be reinforced throughout the year and we will work with the PCSPs, PSNI and other agencies to continue to raise awareness of the serious impact drink driving can have across communities.”
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For further information, please contact the Northern Ireland Policing Board’s Communications Office on 07801738795.
Notes to editors
1. Provisional PSNI figures for the Winter drink drive operation (27 Nov 2015 – 2 Jan 2016)
- Total detections 396 (up from 282 last year)
- Youngest person detected, 16 years of age
- Oldest person detected, 83 years of age
- 325 Males, 71 Females detected
- Highest reading 140mg (legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath).
- 4231 Preliminary Breath Tests were carried out.
2. Number of evidential procedures during winter drink drive operation by location of offence
Number of Evidential Procedures by District
| 2015/15 - 27/11/14 - 02/01/15 | 2015/16 - 28/11/15-03/1/16 | % Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim and Newtownabbey | 19 | 24 | 26.3 |
| Ards and North Down | 22 | 17 | -22.7 |
| Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon | 39 | 48 | 23.1 |
| Belfast City | 48 | 68 | 41.7 |
| Causeway Coast and Glens | 16 | 35 | 118.8 |
| Derry City and Strabane | 19 | 37 | 94.7 |
| Fermanagh and Omagh | 14 | 26 | 85.7 |
| Lisburn and Castlereagh | 11 | 21 | 90.9 |
| Mid and East Antrim | 20 | 13 | -35.0 |
| Mid Ulster | 24 | 27 | 12.5 |
| Newry, Mourne and Down | 26 | 51 | 96.2 |
| District Unknown & Blood/Urine Tests | 24 | 29 | 20.0 |
| Total | 282 | 396 | 41.8 |
Please note:
Figures captured using occurrence or dispatch address entered on Niche
Figures are provisional and subject to change
Source: PSNI Statistics Branch, Lisnasharragh
Notes to editors ends