Drink-drive arrests rise

Police targeted drivers in the morning rush hour

The number of people arrested on suspicion of drink-driving in Greater Manchester rose over Christmas.

According to figures released by Greater Manchester Police during the traditional festive campaign, arrests went up by more than 20% compared to last year.

However, the force points out that from 18 December 2002 until 2 January 2003, 150 fewer people were breathalysed after road collisions than the previous year.

The figures show "there is still an element of drivers disregarding the law and taking the risk of drink driving", according to police.

Collisions dropped

A second initiative - Operation Lamb - was running alongside the campaign, which targeted drivers who were driving the morning after a night's drinking.

During that campaign, which was backed by the British rugby team, 78 drivers were arrested compared to 62 in 2001.

According to the figures, the number of people breathalysed dropped from 1,069 in 2001 to 916 during the latest campaign.

'Encouraging' reduction

The number of injury road collisions has also fallen to 379, from 420 last year.

Police said the reduction is "encouraging" and said it could be to do with the mild weather over the festive period.

Road safety officer Inspector Brian Wood said: "Despite the success of GMP's continued work against drink driving, a number of drivers still put lives at risk by continuing to drive whilst under the influence.

"Our efforts to stop it will continue throughout 2003."