Drink driving arrests rise by five per-cent

POLICE in Mid Ulster have expressed their thanks to members of the local community for playing their part in helping to reduce the number of drink drivers on roads in the area in the run-up to Christmas.

Inspector Long said, “Between January and October 2023, a total of 270 people were detected driving on our local roads whilst unfit to do so, and many of these detections were a direct result of members of the public alerting our officers to their presence.

“Just before Christmas, I appealed directly to and encouraged everyone living in Mid Ulster to do the same if they suspected that someone was drinking and driving.

“I’m pleased to say that you listened to us and gave us your help, and police in the district arrested a total of 334 people for drink-driving offences over the course of 2023.

“This figure represents a five per-cent increase on that of the previous year, 2022.”

Inspector Long continued, “As 2024 gets underway, I would like to continue to appeal to members of the community to continue to report any concerns they have over drink drivers to police.

“You can contact us directly on 101, or 999 in the case of an emergency, or if you wish to provide information anonymously, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

Inspector Long added, “The consequences of drink driving cannot be underestimated.

“If you are detected, not only will you face a court appearance, and your licence being taken off you, you also drastically increase the changes of causing a collision.

“Just one drink can impair your decision making, so before consuming alcohol and getting behind the wheel – please ask yourself this: could you live with the responsibility for the death of or serious harm caused to another person through your actions?

“It is disappointing that a minority of people continue to disregard the safety of themselves and others, by taking the incredibly dangerous risk of driving after drinking or taking drugs.

“Our message is clear. Never, ever drink and drive.”