Suffolk drink driving on the rise

19/07/11

By Shane Gladstone

Official figures have shown that the number of people driving under the influence of drink or drugs in Suffolk has risen since last year.

Suffolk Police said the number of people caught drink or drug-driving during its summer enforcement campaign rose 13.3 per cent year-on-year.

Officers breathalysed 507 people during the month-long campaign in June, with 21.9 per cent coming back positive.

Figures for the same campaign last year showed that 61 of an overall 711 breath tests  - 8.6 per cent - were positive.

Some 114 of the tests conducted this year were on people aged 25 or younger, with 18 per cent giving a positive test, according to the figures.

Inspector Bruce Gent of the Road Policing Unit said: "Motorists must also be aware of how long alcohol can remain in your system.

“This year's figures show that a number of people have been caught on Saturday and Sunday mornings, which suggests drivers are getting behind the wheel having been drinking the night before."