Alcohol warning to drivers (From This is Hampshire)
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Alcohol warning to drivers
6:30am Wednesday 20th June 2012 in News
THE first ten days of a police crackdown on drink-drivers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has seen a 20 per cent increase in arrests.
Police officers arrested 72 people on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol between 1 June and 10 June.
During the same period last year the figure was 60.
The drive – named Op Solar 2012 – was initially down on last year’s figures, with a 12 per cent drop in arrests in the first four days of the campaign compared to last year’s May bank holiday weekend.
Supt Chris Brown, head of roads policing for Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, believes this is down to the number of street parties held over the Jubilee weekend.
He said: “There were approximately 500 licensed street parties and celebrations across the two counties over the four-day holiday, meaning many people stayed close to home.
“It was an encouraging start but one we thought might have been down to the occasion the country was marking at the time.
“Sadly, as the figures show, detected drink-driving offences for this summer period are so far up on last year, which is not good news.
“If you’re off to the pub or a mate’s house to watch a Euro 2012 match, make arrangements to get home safely.
Leave your car keys at home and book a taxi or get someone to pick you up.”
The force’s Western Area accounted for the most arrests – 46 per cent – with 21 in Southampton, eight in the Eastleigh and Romsey district and four in the New Forest.
Of those arrested, 55 have been charged, 14 released with no further action and three bailed pending further inquiries.
