Cricklade drink driver joins around 100 arrested during campaign (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cricklade drink driver joins around 100 arrested during campaign

10:40am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in News By Laura Shack

A CRICKLADE woman who crashed while reportedly three times over the drink drive limit joined around 100 drivers arrested during a Christmas crack down in Wiltshire.

The 33-year-old driver escaped injury after her black Vauxhall Astra veered off the road close to the Chelworth Industrial Estate at around 6.30pm on Sunday, December 30.

After being checked over by ambulance staff, she was later arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

Her arrest came towards the end of a Christmas Drug and Drink Driving Campaign by Wiltshire Police, aimed at cracking down on people getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or taking drugs during the festive period.

Figures released this week by Wiltshire Police reveal that 85 people were arrested for providing a positive breath test or refusing or failing to provide a test in the county between December 1, 2012 and January 1, 2013.

A further 13 drivers were arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs while driving.

The campaign saw a total of 2,579 breath tests undertaken, a reduction of 65 tests on 2011's figures. The number of people arrested for providing a positive breath test or refusing or failing to provide a test also fell by six.

Wiltshire Police Inspector Steve Cox said that while the campaign had been a success, the work did not stop there.

"What I would like to make perfectly clear is that we have officers patrolling our roads throughout the year – not just over the Christmas period," he said.

"Drivers should not get complacent as we have team targeting those drivers who put themselves and others at risk by getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs."