Police slam drink-drivers

POLICE figures released this week show the number of motorists arrested for drink-driving in Cambridgeshire has risen - but it is a different picture for Herts. A total of 197 people were arrested during Cambridgeshire police Drive Safe - Drink Sober campaign, which ran from December 1-January 2. In the southern division - covering South Cambridgeshire - there were 63 arrests. Pc Mick McCready, the force's casualty reduction officer, said: "I am disappointed that the number of people driving under the influence has increased. "It proves that there are still a number of drivers who think it is acceptable to do so. "The number of people who are caught driving under the influence is increasing every year." Last year's campaign saw 72 people arrested for positive breath tests or failing to supply a specimen. During the same period this year, a total of 95 people were arrested - an increase of 32 per cent. Hertfordshire's anti-drink-drive campaign - which ran from December 1-31 - found that out of 2,270 drivers tested, 201 were positive (8.9 per cent). Last year, 1,918 tests were administered and 192 people tested positive (10 per cent). Chief Insp Nigel Brown said: "While it is encouraging to note that the percentage of people caught drink-driving has decreased, we are still disappointed with the fact that 201 people were caught drink-driving during our crackdown. "The only safe way to drive is with no alcohol and to remember the real risk of being over the limit the morning after the night before.