North Yorkshire and County Durham are among the ten UK regions with the most drink drivers being caught at the wheel, according to a new study.
The research, undertaken by insurance firm GoShorty, analysed data from a series of Freedom of Information requests and government sources to reveal the worst areas in the UK for positive or refused alcohol breath tests.
The figures show that North Yorkshire has the UK’s fourth highest rate of motorists giving positive breath tests – or refusing to take them - with a rate of 128.67 per 100,000 people.
Durham ranks seventh in the list, with a rate of 111.93 per 100,000 people.
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North Yorkshire Traffic Sergeant Andy Morton said the force is committed to tackling drink driving and takes a very pro-active approach to catch offenders including by acting on information received from the community.
He added: “Drink Driving is one of the “Fatal 5” – the five main causes of fatal traffic collisions, and we work all year round to tackle the Fatal 5 with prevention and enforcement campaigns.
“North Yorkshire Police is also part of the York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership, along with a number of other partner agencies, which aims to significantly reduces the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.
“The partnership works with schools, colleges, the military and other organisations in order to educate as many people as possible surrounding the dangers of drink driving.
“We encourage members of the public to report any concerns about anyone drink and drug driving to us.
“It could help save a life.
“I would also say to anyone heading out for a drink to think about how they are getting home and plan ahead. Drink driving costs lives.
“It’s not worth the risk."
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Sergeant Catherine Iley, of Durham Constabulary said: “Drink driving can have catastrophic consequences so we will always be proactive in relation to national campaigns and reacting to intelligence received around suspected drink drivers who are routinely stopped, identified and prosecuted.
“Those who choose to drink and drive risk killing themselves or someone else which will ultimately lead to imprisonment, but as a minimum, when caught, offenders risk losing their licence and potentially their livelihood as a result.
“Changes in the law have also increased the penalties for the offence of causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs from a maximum of 14 years to life imprisonment.
“Our message is simple, don’t drink and drive.”
According to the research, the UK region with the highest rate of people giving positive drink drive breath tests is Gloucestershire at 303.26 per 100,000 people.
Here are the 10 UK regions with the highest number of positive or refused alcohol breath tests according to GoShorty
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