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| Drink-drive results 'disappoint' | Drink-drive results 'disappoint' |
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| Police in Wales stopped almost twice as many drivers in the festive drink-drive crackdown compared to last year, latest figures from forces reveal. | Police in Wales stopped almost twice as many drivers in the festive drink-drive crackdown compared to last year, latest figures from forces reveal. |
| Although the proportion of those who had been drink-driving had almost halved, police were still "disappointed" with the results. | Although the proportion of those who had been drink-driving had almost halved, police were still "disappointed" with the results. |
| More than 36,000 motorists were stopped from 1 December to 1 January, and more than 600 were arrested. | |
| In the same period a year ago, 19,554 drivers were stopped and 587 arrested. | In the same period a year ago, 19,554 drivers were stopped and 587 arrested. |
| The festive drink-drive crackdown was launched in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, by North Wales Police Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom. | The festive drink-drive crackdown was launched in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, by North Wales Police Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom. |
| Figures released on Wednesday showed that across the North Wales Police area 10,749 breath tests were administered which resulted in 142 arrests. | |
| BREATH TESTS IN WALES North Wales Police 10,749Positive, refused or failed to provide 142Dyfed-Powys Police 3,943Positive, refused or failed to provide 177South Wales Police 7,466Positive, refused or failed to provide 207Gwent Police 13,924Positive, refused or failed to provide 126 Source: North Wales Police, 1 Dec 2008-1 Jan 2009 | |
| In 2007 North Wales Police carried out 6,986 breath tests which resulted in 145 positive results. In comparison, during the 2006 campaign 4,404 breath tests were administered with 144 being positive. | In 2007 North Wales Police carried out 6,986 breath tests which resulted in 145 positive results. In comparison, during the 2006 campaign 4,404 breath tests were administered with 144 being positive. |
| Chief Superintendent John Turton, of the force's operational support division, said: "It is disappointing that drivers still put their own lives and other road user's lives at risk, just to have a drink, with over 600 people caught over the drink drive limit throughout Wales during the month-long campaign. | Chief Superintendent John Turton, of the force's operational support division, said: "It is disappointing that drivers still put their own lives and other road user's lives at risk, just to have a drink, with over 600 people caught over the drink drive limit throughout Wales during the month-long campaign. |
| "People do not seem to have heeded the very real warnings about the dangers of drinking and driving - the drivers caught by officers throughout Wales have blatantly put their own lives and the lives of others at risk." | "People do not seem to have heeded the very real warnings about the dangers of drinking and driving - the drivers caught by officers throughout Wales have blatantly put their own lives and the lives of others at risk." |
| Transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, commenting on the released figures, said: "Drink-driving ruins lives. Too many motorists are still not heeding this very clear message, so we will continue to work hard with the police to tackle this. | Transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, commenting on the released figures, said: "Drink-driving ruins lives. Too many motorists are still not heeding this very clear message, so we will continue to work hard with the police to tackle this. |
| "The Christmas campaign resulted in more drivers being breathalysed in Wales than ever before, this shows just how seriously this issue is being taken." | "The Christmas campaign resulted in more drivers being breathalysed in Wales than ever before, this shows just how seriously this issue is being taken." |
| Across forces in England and Wales, 25,000 more motorists were stopped in the campaign, leading to 9,148 arrests. | Across forces in England and Wales, 25,000 more motorists were stopped in the campaign, leading to 9,148 arrests. |
| Gwent Police's chief constable Mick Giannasi, who is responsible for roads policing across England and Wales, said it was worrying some drivers see themselves as "above the law" and were willing to put lives at risk. | Gwent Police's chief constable Mick Giannasi, who is responsible for roads policing across England and Wales, said it was worrying some drivers see themselves as "above the law" and were willing to put lives at risk. |
| "Driving under the influence of any substance, whether it is alcohol or drugs is not acceptable. | "Driving under the influence of any substance, whether it is alcohol or drugs is not acceptable. |
| "Alcohol and drugs can impair your ability to judge speed and distances, reduce concentration and delay reaction speed." | "Alcohol and drugs can impair your ability to judge speed and distances, reduce concentration and delay reaction speed." |