Winter drink driving figures up

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The number of drivers and motorcyclists caught drink-driving during the first two weeks of the PSNI's winter campaign has risen by 15%.

Two hundred and thirty drink-drivers were detected, 31 more than in 2008.

Six people were detected at four times the legal limit. The youngest person detected was 16 years and the oldest, 73 years.

The average age of people to fail the breath test is 36, and to date, 199 men and 31 women have been detected.

Chief Inspector Diane Pennington said there is still a minority of people who completely disregarded "the safety of themselves and others by continuing this shameful and incredibly dangerous practice".

"Drinking and driving kills, maims and wrecks families," she added.

"Police will not tolerate people who insist on driving after having taken drugs or drink. We are again appealing for all motorists to consider the consequences of their actions.

At 109, the number of people killed on Northern Ireland's road this year has exceeded the overall total for 2008.

"I do not want officers knocking on doors at any time of the year, but especially over Christmas and the New Year, to tell families that a loved one has been killed on the roads," Chief Inspector Pennington continued.

"While our high profile series of roads policing operations will continue to target drink drivers day and night throughout the coming weeks, the sad reality is that more people will be caught drink driving during this campaign."