Drivers face B-test purge

EXTRA patrol cars will be deployed across the region over the summer as part of a nationwide crackdown on drink and drug driving.

Roadside alcohol and drugs tests will also be carried out in hot spot areas across the region to help reduce the number of drink and drug driving incidents during the warm weather.

During last summer’s drink and drug driving campaign, officers stopped 5,000 drivers of which 155 tested positive for either drink or drugs.

Chief Insp Haydn Roberts said: “The hot weather sees people flocking to beer gardens or having barbecues and there is very often alcohol involved.

“We want to encourage people to enjoy the sunshine but without the misery caused by drink or drug driving.

“Just having a drink or two could push you over the limit and can cost people’s lives so we’re appealing to people not to get behind the wheel when you’ve had a drink.”

He added: “On average, 250 people test positive for drink or drug driving every month.

“This is too high. We are working hard to bring that number down and reduce the number of lives that are lost each year on roads in the area. Eighteen people were killed through drink-driving in Greater Manchester in 2008.”