500 breathalysed in December campaign

Police demonstrate the dangers
of drink-driving as part of the
December campaign

City of London Police tested more than 500 people as part of their Christmas campaign to catch drivers under the influence of drink or drugs.

The campaign was launched with the slogan "if you are driving under the influence of drink or drugs, we are likely to catch you", and that proved to be the case, with 27 people either providing a positive result or refusing or failing to be breathalysed.

Sgt Bill Holder, from the force's Roads Policing Unit, said the results send out a clear message: "We have shown again that we will not tolerate drivers who are under the influence of drink or drugs. Officers in the City tested around 100 more drivers than during the previous year's campaign, and I firmly believe our presence will have deterred a significant number of potential drink drivers.

"But we will not be resting on our laurels. The Christmas campaign may have ended, but preventing drink and drug driving remains a priority, and our officers will continue to test drivers."

The campaign, part of a national clampdown, included Field Impairment Testing, which is used to detect whether a driver is under the influence of drugs.

Nationally, 223,423 drivers were tested for drink or drugs, with more than 7,500 arrested.

Sgt Nina Houghton, also from the force's Roads Policing Unit, said: "For those people who failed a breath test, or refused or failed to take one, the new year brings them the prospect of a minimum of 12 months' disqualification from driving. As they consider the affect a ban will have on their work and social life, they must be asking themselves whether it was worth breaking the law and endangering themselves and other road users."