THE number of people arrested for drink-driving during Humberside Police's annual Christmas crackdown rose slightly.
812 in A Division – covering Grimsby and Cleethorpes – were breath tested in November and December and 35 blew positive, refused the test or failed to provide a specimen.
That means 4 per cent tested were arrested for drink-driving, compared to 3.9 per cent in 2011.
Officers tested all people in collisions, as well as those who were stopped for other offences, such as using mobile phones or driving with faults.
PC Barry Gardner, Humberside Police casualty reduction officer, pictured below, said:
"Although the total number of people tested this year fell slightly, the percentage of those who were arrested stayed almost the same, showing people are still drink-driving.
"It is a positive thing that we caught and dealt with 35 offending drivers, but the negative is that these drivers were willing to gamble their own and other people's safety by getting behind the wheel having drunk alcohol."
Of those arrested for drinking and driving, 7 per cent had been in collisions – compared to 5.4 per cent tested after collisions in 2011.
The total number of collisions recorded during the campaign period also increased, from 69 in 2011 to 94.
PC Gardner said the most alarming figures were drivers under 25.
In 2011, 235 under 25s were tested and 14 of them were arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. In 2012, eight were arrested out of 158 who were tested – meaning the percentage of under 25s arrested for drink driving almost stayed the same.
PC Gardner said: "Drivers aged 17 to 25 are already at far higher risk of being involved in a collision.
"By adding drink, their vulnerability becomes a potentially deadly cocktail."
He stressed officers target drink-drivers 365 days of the year – with emphasis on Christmas because of an increased risk of drinking and driving.
"The police will continue to pursue offenders who ignore the drink-drive laws. This offence is something that we are looking for every day of the year."Alcohol is a depressant, any amount will affect the way in which a driver controls a vehicle. I would urge every driver to avoid the gamble and remain alcohol free in 2013."
There has already been a high-profile arrest for drink-driving this year. 79-year-old Mary Horsley killed in East Halton in a collision involving a suspected drink-driver on Tuesday night.
To report anyone, call police on 101.
