More motorists caught drink-driving in spring than at Christmas, Government says

ONE in six motorists stopped by police in the spring were done for drink-driving compared to just one in 20 in the Christmas party season.

A Home Office report out yesterday shows that the number of drivers testing positive or refusing a breath test was at its highest from March to May, 2009.

March saw 17% of drivers being caught out in England and Wales, with 16% in April and May. In contrast, December had 5% of motorists over the limit, despite many more being stopped.

Only 47,000 breath tests were carried out in March as well as April, compared to 189,935 in December.

A survey by road safety charity Brake and insurance company Direct Line yesterday said 53% of drivers think there is a less than one in four chance of being caught over the limit.

Brake’s Julie Townsend said: “The number of breath tests being carried out is wholly inadequate.”