Welsh Drivers More At Risk of Being Pulled Over

Welsh drivers are at more risk of being pulled over for driving offences than any other UK drivers, official figures have revealed.

It shows that North Wales and Dyfed-Powys police forces breathalyse a higher number of drivers than anywhere else in Britain, with one in every 29 people undergoing the test, and one in 26 in North Wales. Over the 2011-12 year, this equates to over double that of England – however in England, there is comparatively a much higher percentage of drivers failing the test, or refusing to take it at all.

However these figures are not to be interpreted lightly; last year, almost 10,000 people were injured in accidents related to drink-driving, with 280 killed, almost a 10% increase on the previous year.

The drivers most at risk of being handed a Fixed Penalty Notice are those in Gwent County, South-East Wales, with 46 per 1,000 population – although it should be noted that this is mainly a technicality, as the local police force is one of the few left in Wales that still leaves it’s police responsible for handing out parking tickets. Without this loophole, that particular accolade is bestowed upon Dyfed-Powys Police, with 33 per 1,000 population. Gwent drivers are although more likely to be caught using their mobiles whilst driving, with a 71% rise in Fixed Penalty Notices between 2007-2012.

The Dyfed-Powys Police force are also recognised as being amongst the strictest when it comes to disciplining drivers against not wearing seat belts or using mobile phones whilst driving. From 2007-08 the force saw a dramatic rise of 150% of drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel, and 2,160 of these were apprehended in the 2011-12 year, and the same year seat-belt offences also surged 60% with 2,783 penalty notices being dished out to careless drivers.

What are your thoughts on this article? Voice your opinions in the comments section below!