New project to report drink drivers receives 181 texts

A unique project urging people to shop drink drivers received more than 180 texts over Christmas and New Year.

The figure has been revealed as part of Lincolnshire Police’s festive drink-drive campaign statistics, which resulted in 71 drivers arrested for the offence.

More than 1,233 breath tests were administered where drivers had not been involved in an accident and a further 407 in incidents where there had been a collision.

This year’s figure of 71 arrests for providing a positive breath test or for failing to provide a test is down from 117 arrests in the same period – December 1 to January 1 – the previous year.

The national statistics for the Christmas Drink and Drug Campaign have just been released by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

John Siddle, of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, says because of media coverage, members of the public became aware of the local initiative where they could anonymously text to a number and report a suspected a person for drinking and driving.

Police officers would then follow up on that information.

The average number of breath tests given each month is about 1,100 so there was a significant increase in the number administered in December but with fewer arrests.

He said: “The Partnership decided on a data-led approach this year which enabled the direct targeting of suspected drink-drivers.

“The fact that 181 texts were received demonstrates the enormous public support for what we were trying to do – encouraging members of the public to anonymously pass information easily (and for free) to the police to rid Lincolnshire of drink drivers,” he said.

He said the texting initiative was unique to Lincolnshire, but could possible be picked up by other forces.

He said: “We have already had an approach from a force which was following up on the publicity, which happened to be seen by one of their own officers as he passed through the county at Christmas.”

The Christmas statistics compare with the summer campaign which was held last June.

During that month, 732 drivers were breath-tested and 70 failed the test or refused and were arrested.

“That campaign was the pilot scheme of the text service using the data initiative to increase our intelligence on drivers who drink,” Mr Siddle said.

“All in all we were satisfied with our efforts, delighted with the public response but very disappointed that 71 drivers saw fit to risk the lives of others and their own livelihoods by drinking and driving.”