Over 9,000 Breath Tests Carried Out And Over 190 Drug Wipes Administered During An All Wales Campaign
Led by Dyfed Powys Police, the campaign ran from Friday 10th June until Sunday 10th July during which time a total of 9,532 breath tests were administered across Wales with 306 of those being positive, refused or fail to provide.
199 roadside tests for drugs were administered with 131 showing positive for drugs.
The offence of drinking alcohol or taking drugs and driving is one of the “fatal 5”; the five offences that can lead to death or serious injury on our roads. The others being careless driving, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving while on a mobile phone.
Breath tests
Dyfed Powys Police administered 2751 tests of which 68 tests were positive, refused or failed to provide.
Gwent Police carried out 1004 tests with 51 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide.
In the South Wales Police area 1819 tests were conducted with 109 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide.
North Wales Police carried out 3958 tests with 78 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide.
Drug Wipes Administered
Dyfed Powys Police 23 with 11 being positive
Gwent Police 65 with 39 being positive
South Wales Police 51 with 45 being positive
North Wales Police 60 with 36 being positive
Dyfed Powys Police Assistant Chief Constable Pam Kelly said:
“This campaign identified a significant number of motorists in Wales who continue to ignore this important legislation around drink and drug driving.
“If you drink or take drugs and drive you will potentially not only ruin your life, but the lives of others. There is absolutely no excuse for drinking or taking drugs and driving and the consequences can be devastating.”
“Although this was a month-long focussed campaign, the drive to change attitudes, increase road safety and catch offenders will continue year round.
Chair of Road Safety Wales Susan Storch said:
“We were clear in our messages throughout the campaign that drink or drug driving is not acceptable, and will not be tolerated. The police services also made effective use of the new legislation under Section 5a and made some significant arrests during the campaign period.”
“Those that selfishly break the law are endangering themselves and, more importantly, other road users. Drink and drug driving ruins lives all year round and we will continue to work closely with the Police in reinforcing these messages throughout the year.”
Anyone with information about people drinking and driving should call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
In the 2015 campaign Dyfed Powys Police administered 4,951 tests of which 127 were positive, refused or failed to provide. 3 people were arrested following a Section 5a drug swipe test.
Gwent Police carried out 297 breath tests with 17 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide. 19 people were arrested following a Section 5a drug swipe test.
In the South Wales Police area 2,437 tests were conducted with 124 testing positive, refusing or failing to provide. 20 people were arrested following a Section 5a drug swipe test.
North Wales Police administered 5,235 breath tests with 85 being positive, refused or fail to provide. 10 people were arrested following a Section 5a drug swipe test.
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