Drink-drive crackdown as summer celebrations begin

A SEASON of summer celebrations and sports events has prompted police to launch a clamp down on drink and drug driving.

With the Diamond Jubilee, Euro 2012 and the Olympics all generating a party spirit South Yorkshire Police are set to be more vigilant than ever to the dangers of people driving under the influence and have launched a two-month campaign starting tomorrow.

Police officers will be testing anyone they suspect of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and inviting members of the public to take a voluntarily roadside breathalyser test.

Chief inspector for roads policing, Stuart Walne, said: “We know that the public don’t want drink drivers on the roads.

“With a four day weekend to celebrate the Queens Jubilee, closely followed by the start of Euro 2012, the number of people drinking in pubs and at home is likely to increase and therefore the temptation to drink and drive is also likely to go up.

“In order to address this, South Yorkshire Police is increasing its drink and drug driving enforcement across the county and carrying out a wide reaching enforcement campaign.”

South Yorkshire Police will target motorists at various times throughout the day at a number of different locations, not just at pub closing times.

Statistics show that, in 2010, 14 per cent of all road fatalities across Great Britain were caused by drink driving.

Chief Insp Walne added: “If you know someone that regularly drives whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol I would urge you to contact South Yorkshire Police by calling 101.”