Figures released by the Association of Chief Police Officers show that during the month of December, more than 175,000 people were stopped and tested for drink driving compared to nearly 157,000 people in 2011.

A total of 7,123 drivers tested positive or refused a test, giving a positive rate of 4.05% – lower than 2011’s figure of 4.55% but higher than the 3.91% for 2010.

ACPO lead for roads policing, deputy chief constable Suzette Davenport, said the figures were encouraging and officers would continue to clamp down on drink and drug driving throughout the year. 


She commented: ‘It’s good to see, that yet again the majority of drivers are responsible and sensible. Our results show that by far the majority of drivers stopped did not drink or take drugs and drive.’

The AA also welcome the reduction in the number of drink drivers, with AA president Edmund King saying: ‘These results bring some good news but show that more needs to be done to stop hard-core drink drivers.

He added: ‘The AA still believes that drug driving may be a bigger problem than is reflected in the figures. The number of Field Impairment Tests conducted (360) was down on last year (540) but the percentage of these arrested after tests was still high (21%). We need more police officers trained to conduct the Field Impairment Tests and ultimately we need an accurate roadside drugalyser.’