Dorset drink-drive arrests rise by 30 per cent (From Thisisdorset)
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Dorset drink-drive arrests rise by 30 per cent
5:00pm Saturday 16th June 2012 in News By Arron Hendy
MORE PATROLS: Chief Inspector Matt Butler
THE number of motorists arrested for drink driving in Dorset this summer has risen by 30 per cent compared with a year ago.
A total of 52 motorists have been arrested in two weeks with police in the middle of a month-long campaign in which they are breath testing everybody involved in a crash.
That figure compares with 40 who were detained between June 1 and June 14 last year.
Chief inspector Matt Butler, head of Dorset Police’s traffic Unit, said as well as testing drivers at crash scenes they have increased traffic patrols.
He said: “It is disappointing to see that more motorists are risking their lives by drink driving this summer compared to last year.
He added: “I would like to remind drivers that drinking any amount of alcohol and then driving is dangerous. Don’t risk lives by drinking and driving.”
Of the 52 people arrested 21 were under the age of 30. Of these 21 people 18 were men.
The legal consequences of being caught drink driving include a minimum 12 month driving ban, a criminal record, up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.
Chief Inspector Butler added: “If you are going out drinking over the summer, take simple steps such as booking a taxi, having a designated driver in your group of friends or arranging overnight accommodation.”
Sergeant Nikki Burt, of the Eastern Traffic Department, based in Poole, said more drivers should consider the consequences.
She said: “If you haven’t been involved in a collision you don’t see the implications it can have on you and your family and the other people involved.
“If you seriously injure or kill another person you can’t undo that.”
The police will continue to use high visibility patrols as well as spot checks and will also be using unmarked cars.
They are appealing for anyone who suspects someone is going to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs to dial 999 immediately and report the details to the police so that they can intercept that vehicle.
Also if anyone has any information about regular drink or drug drivers, they are being asked to contact Dorset Police in confidence on 101 to report them.
Alternatively they can call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.
Comments(16)
MaxReturn
says...
5:34pm Sat 16 Jun 12
MaxReturn
says...
5:35pm Sat 16 Jun 12
Peggy Babcock
says...
5:37pm Sat 16 Jun 12
The article says there have been "increased patrols" therefore this implies more people stopped, hence an increase.
1 drink driver is too many but at least report the facts rather than shoddy reporting.
Capricorn 1
says...
5:58pm Sat 16 Jun 12
penhale
says...
8:05pm Sat 16 Jun 12
This equates to only 4 people a day caught drink driving which means that probably 10 times that many are getting away with it, so the percentage caught is no where near the true figure of drunken idiots on our roads.
Bournefre
says...
8:11pm Sat 16 Jun 12
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This tells us that what some might assume to be the 'stereotypical drink driver' represents just under 35% of the total arrested for drink driving; the 65% majority including women and anyone over the age of 30, although the journo doesn't feel the need to break down the demographics any further. It could be that the entire 65% majority of drink drivers are women over the age of 70 - we just don't know. Then of course we aren't told what percentage of young men or 'boy racers' who were stopped gave positive samples. It could be that 1000 'boy racers' were tested, meaning only 1.8% gave positive samples, likewise it could be that 50 little old ladies were stopped because they might be seen as a lower risk but 31 were arrested, meaning that 62% of the little old ladies stopped were arrested for drink driving - a whopping 62% higher than the percentage of 'boy racers' caught committing the same offence.
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We don't know.
Statistics can be manipulated to imply whatever you want.
Turtlebay
says...
10:15pm Sat 16 Jun 12
jobsworthwatch
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10:54pm Sat 16 Jun 12
billd766
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2:16am Sun 17 Jun 12
Traffic police are just one part of Dorset police as a whole and for example the central police station will have different departments for different tasks such as burglary, rape, normal policing etc.
You would not expect a traffic policeman to solve a murder case without specialist training any more than taking a beat policeman with no training and putting him in a traffic car in a high speed chase.
What you need to do is to find out is the structure of the force, how it is managed and what external pressue is brought to bear.
OfCourse
says...
2:34am Sun 17 Jun 12
Dorsetspeed - in your usual Police bashing can you please also explain how this is "not effectively targeting dangerous drivers and saving life"? Yes, I do agree completely statistics can be manipulated but surely the main statistic - that of 52 drink drivers stopped - no matter how many Police officers or number of vehicle stops made, is the one thing people should look at - regardless of age or gender! There are obviously issues raised as to why these people do it but just be thankful the Police have caught them.
jaffajoe
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8:48am Sun 17 Jun 12
ShuttleX
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9:36am Sun 17 Jun 12
I couldn't care less if these drink drivers killed themselves. In fact it would save all of us a great deal of trouble if they wrapped themselves round a lamp post and died. The ones I am concerned about, are the innocent people who are walking along that get killed by these morons. The Government should stop pussyfooting around with this. Anybody caught over the limit should have their licence revoked. They should have an automatic prison sentence and their cars should be crushed.
dorsetspeed
says...
11:11am Sun 17 Jun 12
If the police made every effort to most effectively save life, instead of making money, that 52 may have been 152 detected (for the same number of actual drink drivers, whatever that may be). It is proven that all they are interested in is MAKING MONEY, and they don’t even deny it – they just try to cover it up. Here’s the proof:
http://www.dorsetspe
ed.org.uk/news/sog11
0.aspx
penhale
says...
4:50pm Sun 17 Jun 12
jaffajoe wrote:Shouldn't need to carry a breath test kit or be forced to do so, what should be law is that if you drink any alcohol at all then you don't get behind the wheel of a vehicle then there could be no excuse.
as of 1st of July 2012 - it is the law for all drivers in France to carry their own breath test kit. (they will be available for purchase at channel ports). Failure to have a breath test kit in the vehicle, or be under the influence of alcohol will result in a hefty fine. Perhaps such laws in this country would help reduce the number of 'drink drivers'?!?!
Nifty Nurse
says...
8:43am Mon 18 Jun 12
dorsetspeed says...
5:23pm Sat 16 Jun 12
But what do you expect, Mr Butler? All the police are concerned about is their jobs, and therefore making money. This is your primary concern, not effectively targeting dangerous drivers and saving life. All the evidence is here:
http://www.dorsetspe
ed.org.uk/news/sog11
0.aspx