Essex: Nearly 100 drivers caught drink-driving this summer

A TOTAL of 94 motorists were caught driving over the limit during Essex police’s 2013 summer anti-drink drive campaign.

The initiative, which ran between June 1-30, saw officers taking a zero tolerance approach to those who put lives at risk by drinking and driving.

Of the 2,616 drivers breathalysed, 94 were over the legal alcohol limit or refused to provide a sample.

Those over the limit included 21 people aged under 25 and 61 aged 25 and over.

Adam Pipe, casualty reduction manager for Essex police, said: “Sadly some people consider themselves to be above the law and make the decision to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both.

“Not only does this put their lives at risk but the lives of their passengers or other innocent road users who drive well within the law.

“Every year I am disappointed to see that a small minority of people ignore the law and drink and drive.”

Last year’s campaign, which ran at the same time as the European Football Championships, saw 110 drivers caught over the limit.

Officers stepped up road checks in towns across the county with bustling night time economies and rural areas where some drivers believe they have less chance of getting caught drunk behind the wheel.

Mr Pipe added: “Our summer anti-drink drive campaign came to an end at the end of June but that doesn’t mean our efforts to take drink and drug drivers off the roads of Essex will stop.

“We won’t tolerate those who drink and drive and will continue to arrest and put them before the courts where they will be brought to justice.

“I would like to thank all of those members of the public who called with information about drink drivers during the campaign, especially those from Maldon and the surrounding area.

“We received lots of intelligence that we are confident we’ll be able to take action on.”