More drink drivers found in police blitz

Almost 400 drink drivers were caught by police on roads in the West Midlands over the Christmas period, it was revealed today.

Around 20,000 motorists were stopped as part of the annual police campaign, which ran between December 1 and January 1. Of those targeted at local "hot spots" to find those under the influence, almost 3,000 were tested and 380 were found to be over the limit. That equates to 13.2 per cent of the total tested, slightly up on last year's figure of 12.7.

Only 3.9 per cent of drivers tested after crashes gave positive breath tests compared to 5.4 per cent of those tested in last year's campaign.

Police today said that overall, drink and drug related crashes in the region were down 1.5 per cent during the campaign – a reduction of 28 on the same period in 2008.

Last year, more than 20,000 drivers were stopped. Of those, 4,155 were breath tested and 12.7 per cent, or 527, failed.

In Staffordshire, 177 people were arrested during the force's annual Christmas drink drive operation – more than double the figure of 80 from last year.

Officers carried out 2,132 roadside breath tests and 8.2 per cent resulted in failures.

The number of drivers breath-tested rose from last year's figure of 1,832, when there were 80 people arrested.

Pc Steve Rogers, of the West Midlands Police's force traffic unit, said today: "These figures show some positive results in terms of alcohol related collisions but there is still work to be done in terms of reducing the overall number of people testing positive for drugs and alcohol.

"We cannot stress enough the dangers involved with driving under the influence of drink or drugs. We will continue to target those who endanger lives by persisting with this behaviour.

"People who drink or take drugs and drive are a danger to themselves and other road users.

"Each time they do it they risk everything dear to them."

The national drink driving trends were also being published today.