Police swoop on drink drivers

In total 156 arrests were made in the month of June as West Yorkshire Police targeted drink-driving “hot spots”.

The most offender were arrested in Leeds - 60, while Calderdale had the fewest arrests with seven.

Inspector Joanne Field from West Yorkshire Roads Policing Unit said: “We have increased our patrols to specifically target people risking their own lives and the lives of others by getting behind the wheel when over the limit.

“The results of such a decision can have far reaching consequences. Motorists face losing their licence which can start a domino effect leading to the loss of employment and property.

“People have died because of the actions of motorists driving whilst over the limit. One of the hardest jobs faced by a police officer is to tell the family a loved one has died – a task made all the more difficult when it happened because of one misguided decision”

Drink driving tends to increase during the summer months as people stop off at the pub or call at friends for a drink or two after work, taking advantage of the better weather and longer nights.

The World Cup has also seen more people visiting licensed premises to watch a match.

Officers have been out in force to deal with the extra volume and target those suspected of breaking the law.

Insp Field added: “The World Cup is still taking place and there is perhaps the temptation to either drive home or to drive the following morning after drinking late into the night.

“We want people to watch the football and to have a good time and enjoy the spectacle – but that is not an excuse to take a risk and get behind the wheel when you are over the limit.

“The morning after can be just as dangerous, so if you have been drinking late then there is a good chance you will not be fit to drive the morning after.

“It is great to see that drivers are heeding the message that driving under the influence of drink or drugs is not worth the risk, but the number of arrests shows that people still do it and we will arrest people who do.”