6,000 drivers B-tested in blitz

POLICE arrested 264 people during their summer drink drive operation across Greater Manchester.

More than 6,000 motorists were breathalysed as part of the month-long crackdown and 4.3 per cent of them blew positive, compared with 5.1 per cent last year.

The busiest night for arrests was Saturday, June 14 — the night of England’s first World Cup match when they played Italy.

Police joined forces with emergency services and Drivesafe at the beginning of June to launch the None for the Road campaign to coincide with the tournament.

As part of the operation, patrols were increased to specifically target people drink driving and officers breathalysed 1,100 more motorists than last year, paying a particular focus on the nights England played and the morning after.

Insp Matt Bailey-Smith, co-ordinator of this year’s operation, said: “Any reduction is positive and it’s great to see people heeding our None for the Road message but 264 is still 264 too many.

“The World Cup and warm weather do not give people an excuse to drink drive and although our operation may be over, drink driving continues to be a priority and remains firmly on our agenda.

“We all have a role to play in making our roads safer and I’d urge anybody who knows a drink-driver to tell us about them before they ruin their life, or worse still, somebody else’s.”
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