Drink & Drug Driving Rises - Offenders Jailed

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13 January 2017 | Updated 01 January 1970

Greater Manchester Police arrested 449 motorists over the Christmas and New Year period as part of their ‘None for the Road’ drink and drug driving campaign.

From the 1 December 2016 to 1 January 2017 GMP traffic officers breathalysed over 2,400 motorists across Greater Manchester.

Of those breathalysed, 360 people were arrested for being over the legal drink drive limit. An additional 89 arrests were made for motorists who tested positive for illegal drug substances.

This compares to figures obtained during the same period in 2015/16, when there were 324 drink drivers and 80 drug drivers arrested, an overall increase of 11 per cent.

Inspector Paul Rowe from the GMP Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Unfortunately, yet again we see a year on year rise in the number of people deciding to get behind the wheel while under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.

“449 motorists took the conscious decision to risk not only their license or career, but they also put their own life and more importantly the lives of innocent drivers and pedestrians in grave danger.

“Thankfully, due to the hard work performed by our traffic officers, they were arrested and taken off our roads before any serious damage could be done.

“Our Christmas and New Year’s operation may have ended but the public can rest assured that catching motorists under the influence of drink or drugs remains a top priority for Greater Manchester Police throughout the year. Again our message is clear, if you’re going to have a drink leave the car at home and arrange for alternative transport or simply have none for the road.”

173 drivers were arrested during a Christmas drink and drug driving campaign across Cleveland and Durham. Almost 3,000 drivers were tested to see if they were intoxicated whilst behind the wheel. 116 of the arrests were in connection with driving while under the influence of alcohol and 57 of the arrests were in connection with drug driving. Chief Inspector Graham Milne, from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: “The number of arrests this year has decreased slightly, meaning that there has been a marginal improvement in the number of people driving whilst intoxicated. It is good to know that the educational message is getting through to some people."

Drink-drive teenager jailed for causing death of taxi passenger

An 18-year-old woman has been sentenced to three years imprisonment at Warwick Crown Court after she pleaded guilty to causing the death of a taxi passenger by careless driving. On 10 October 2015, Danielle Bartlett had been socialising and had consumed alcohol throughout the day. Later that night, the defendant was staying with a relative in Leamington Spa when, without prior permission, she picked up the keys to an Astra car and drove away. She was caught speeding on the A45 by a speed camera which logged her speed at 65mph on a 50mph zone and she was later recorded travelling along London Road at a speed between 69-74mph. Travelling along London Road in the opposite direction was a black cab which was conveying Anna Downey home. As the taxi turned into Abbey Road, the defendant's car struck the nearside door area of the taxi at 52mph. Witnesses attended to the taxi to help the driver and Ms Downey who was declared dead at the scene. Bartlett fled the scene and was later arrested at a property in Leamington Spa. She was charged with and pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving when unfit through drink.

Driver jailed for causing death of 12-year-old by dangerous driving

A driver has been jailed for six years after he was found guilty of causing the death of a 12-year-old boy by dangerous driving after his car collided with another vehicle in which the victim was travelling in. A jury at Birmingham Crown Court heard that 35-year-old Nadeem Hussain was driving his Vauxhall Astra on 27 May 2015 along Thursfield Road in West Bromwich. Heading south along Hollyhedge Road was a Mitsubishi Outlander which contained the driver and two passengers, which included the victim Amar Atwal who was seated in the rear of the car. As the two vehicles approached the junction of Thursfield Road and Hollyhedge Road, the defendant failed to follow the give way sign and instead drove across the junction into the side of the Outlander causing the vehicle to flip onto its roof. The impact of the crash caused the victim to be thrown out of the car he was travelling in and onto the road. Amar was taken to the Birmingham Children's Hospital where he passed away on 29 May 2015. The other two victims were also taken to hospital to be treated for life changing injuries."

Picture: Drink and drug driving arrests rose in Manchester in December over 2015

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 13 January 2017

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