More tests but drink-drive arrests drop

Statistics released by the Association of Chief Police Officers show that despite a record of number of breath and drug tests there was an encouraging drop in the number of people testing positive, with fewer people being arrested and fewer people being injured in collisions.

Nationally there was a 6.4 per cent increase in the number of people tested but across Sussex there was an increase of 155 per cent '“ 3,063 tests.

Head of Sussex Police's Road Policing Unit, Superintendent Paul Morrison said the force's proactive screening of drivers had been a 'valuable tactic' but there was still a persistent 'hardcore' of drivers who continued to flout the rules.

"Overall we are very satisfied that the efforts of the force during the campaign resulted in a few more families having a Christmas in 2007," he said.

"We have, however, continued with the Sussex high-profile screening of drivers into January because the intelligence suggests the numbers of drivers influenced by drink or drugs remains a risk for some time after the much publicised campaign concludes.

"In Sussex this is one of our strategic priorities and one we will persist with throughout the coming year."

He said that drink and drug driving played a part in around 20 per cent of fatal and serious injury crashes.

In fatal collisions 21 per cent of drivers had a previous road traffic conviction of which 28 per cent had a previous conviction for excess alcohol.

Supt Morrison said that tougher sentences needed to be imposed on the minority of drivers who continued to drive after drinking or taking drugs.

"We perhaps need to consider if those caught twice need to face stiffer penalties, including mandatory jail sentences, because of the dangers they pose."