Intelligence led approach combatting drink and drug driving

The latest national figures show that forces across the country followed a targeted approach that saw an increase in alcohol tests showing a positive, failed or refused reading. While the percentage of drivers tested reduced, officers targeted through intelligence drink drive hotspots.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Roads Policing, Chief Constable Suzette Davenport said:

“It is encouraging to see that our intelligence led approach continues to work – fewer tests administered but increased criminal justice outcomes, with forces actively targeting hotspots and using their local knowledge to get drink and drug drivers off our roads.

“Even though this has been a successful summer campaign, it is still disappointing to see during the campaign over 4500 people drink driving and over 1000 people driving whilst under the influence of drugs. We remind those who drive when intoxicated that police forces across the country are better equipped than ever before to detect and prosecute drivers who ignore the law.

“We continue to see the benefit of the new drug driving law and swab kits with nearly 40% of those being screened testing positive at the road-side and being prevented from causing harm to other road users.

“The dangers of drink or drug driving are real and we urge everyone to be responsible. Think twice before getting behind the wheel, drink or drug driving is a selfish decision that can ruin your life or someone else’s. Our message remains the same throughout the year – don’t do it”.

If you suspect someone is driving while unfit to do so, please report it immediately to your local police on 101 (or 999 if they are posing imminent danger) or phone it through anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

	2013	2014	2015	2016
Total number of vehicles stopped			70,796	49,440
Total breath tests administered	100892	63688	60096	45267
Total of those that were positive, refused or failed	3839	4108	5085	4539
% of total tested that were positive, failed or refused	4.51	6.45	8.46	10.0
Total breath tests administered NOT involving collisions	86,259	50,491	42,007	27,640
Total of those that were positive, refused or failed	3,893	2,929	2,708	2,828
% of total tested that were positive, failed or refused	4.51	5.8	6.44	10.2
Total breath tests administered FOLLOWING collisions	14,633	13,197	12,259	11,782
Total of those that were positive, refused or failed	1277	1179	2708	1338
% of total tested that were positive, failed or refused	8.73	8.93	7.39	11.4
Total number of breath tests administered to UNDER 25s	19,757	12,829	11,419	7,940
Total of those that were positive, refused or failed	1290	962	682	757
% of total tested that were positive, failed or refused	6.53	7.5	5.97	9.5
Total number of breath tests administered to 25 YEARS AND OVER	69,985	50,622	39,407	28,626
Total of those that were positive, refused or failed	3647	2820	2593	3041
% of total tested that were positive, failed or refused	5.21	5.57	6.58	10.6
Total number of Drug FIELD IMPAIRMENT TESTS conducted	291	203	574	279
Total of those that resulted in a Section 4 arrest	59	66		80
% of total tested that resulted in a Section 4 arrest	20.27	32.51		28.7
Total number of Drug screening devices administered				2588
Total number of positive Drug screening device tests				1028
% of total tested that were positive				39.7
Total number of Drug screening devices administered following a collision				279
Total number of positive Drug screening device tests following a collision				66
% of total tested that were positive				23.7

Notes to editors:

CC Davenport’s availability for interview will be checked but cannot be guaranteed.
NPCC summer drink and drug driving campaign runs from 10 June 2016 to 10 July 2016.
The NPCC only issues national figures and does not provide a force-by-force breakdown.
Explanation of positive, refused or failed; Positive is when a driver is proven by the breathalyser to be over the legal limit Refused is when a driver refuses to give an officer a specimen of breath. Failed is when a driver offers to give a specimen of breath, but it is not sufficient to determine a result.

Contact information

Communications office
By phone: 0800 538 5058
By email: press.office@npcc.police.uk