Number of drink drivers falling (From Penarth Times)

Number of drink drivers falling

PENARTH police are hailing this year's crackdown on drink drivers as a massive success after recording the lowest number of offences throughout the whole of the South Wales area.

But while figures released last week show the success of this summer's 'Don't drink and drive' campaign within the Vale of Glamorgan, there is evidence that there is a hard core of middle-aged drivers ignoring the message.

The annual initiative aims to reduce the number of people who get behind the wheel of a car after consuming too much alcohol over summer months.

Officers in the Vale recorded just 28 positive results in the division from a total of 324 breathalyser tests carried out. This is the lowest percentage of positive breathalyser test samples provided within the whole of South Wales Police.

But it was shown there is more of a tendency for older drivers to break the drink driving law. Only seven drivers between the ages of 17-24 were caught, nine between 25 and 44 and 10 between the ages of 45 and 59. In the 59 and over age group, there were no offenders and two juveniles 16 or under were apprehended.

These figures support evidence that the "don't drink drive" message is getting through.

Superintendent Josh Jones, Divisional Commander for the Vale of Glamorgan remains positive: "Drink driving isn't just anti-social and isn't just criminal. It's potentially lethal, for both the driver and innocent road users.

"The figures suggest this message is getting through, particularly to young people. What was disappointing was the age profile of those arrested. Many were in the over 45 age bracket which suggests there is a hard core of more mature motorists ignoring the message. Drink driving is a crime - it can cost someone their job, bring shame on an individual and their family and ultimately cost someone their life. We'll continue to target offenders. Our message is 'Don't do it'."