Breath test arrests up

A total of 540 people were detained after giving positive breath tests. This number has risen from an average of 14 per day the previous year to 23 a day this time around.

GMP figures also disclose a 44 per cent increase in the number of those stopped and breathalysed and a reduction in collisions of 21 per cent.

Greater Manchester Police's high profile anti-drink driving campaign ran for 23 days between December 11 and January 2, compared to 35 days in 2003. Comparisons have been made on an average daily basis.

Latest figures reveal that a total of 3,537 drivers were stopped and breathalysed, an average of 154 per day compared with 107 the previous year.

Of those drivers breathalysed by police, 540 were arrested for drink-driving which is 15 per cent of those stopped. GMP targeted motorists whose driving was erratic, resulting in one in seven people being arrested.

The statistics for the festive period also show an average of 16 collisions a day, compared with 21 for the previous year. A total of 51 drivers were arrested after accidents - one in 11 compared to one in 12 in 2003.

GMP's road safety officer Inspector Brian Wood said: "We ran a high profile campaign aimed at reducing road casualties as a result of drink driving. While we have tested more drivers and made more arrests, the number of collisions has fallen by 21 per cent. This is good news.

"The majority of drivers drive sensibly and safely. We aim to target those drivers who put themselves and others at risk.

"However, despite the success of GMP's continued work against drink-driving, a number of drivers still put lives at risk by continuing to drive while under the influence.

"We recognise that drink driving can occur at any time of the year, not just at Christmas, and efforts to stamp it out will continue at the same pace throughout 2005.

"The message is clear, if you drink and drive, you will get caught."