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[markwoods39]

Has anyone got the details to how many people got caught this year over Christams ? was the numbers up ?

[jonmorris]

The police have to be out looking for drunk/drug drivers. Are they doing this, or simply relying on ANPR hits for no insurance/tax?

Ten years ago, everyone I knew wouldn't drink and drive and it was totally unacceptable. Someone was a designated driver and had their drinks paid for, or more likely petrol money given, for driving.

More recently, I know people that will drink after 2-3 pints and if anyone says anything to them they will say there's no chance of being caught, it's 'not that much' or the classic - that they can handle it. I'd actually have to agree with them about the former, sadly, as even in Hatfield it's rare to see the police - and there's Hatfield police station and the HQ in WGC!

As I'd expect more people to drink and drive now, or take drugs and drive, I would expect the numbers of prosecutions to be rising. If they fall, I'm suspicious of the fact that it is down to more people being able to get away with it than a genuine reduction.

Any traffic officer is sure to admit that their numbers have been decimated over the years, along with so many more duties put on their shoulders. Unless members of the public report known offenders, what chance is there of being caught (unless you have an accident or something)? How many members of the public are calling the police these days to give tip offs?

[markwoods39]

I remember a few years ago that they used to set up road blocks to catch people who was drinking or had no insurance, mot. You just don't see this anymore Not blaming the police officers as they are only told what to do.

I am sure if they set up more road blocks for checks it would pay for itself with all the fines they would give out.

[jonmorris]

I remember these.

The Met had one near the Holloway Road in London once, and were pulling people for exceeding the 30mph limit (everyone would around the corner). That way you had a reason to stop, as random breath testing isn't allowed. There was a dedicated slip lane made from cones and lots of police, cars and bikes (for anyone that didn't stop).

The police often place these in places where you can't stop and turn around (and if someone does a three point turn, then it's an instant stop by officers on the other side).

I guess the police were too busy using section 44 to stop pedestrians recently. Joking! 

[Hatfield Girl]

They still set up 'check points'.  I passed one on Monday evening outside the old Hatfield Police Station.  ANPR is used a lot and does give some really good results.  You'll see the cars out and about with Op Sentinel marked on them.  Some people do get reported by members of the public for drink driving mainly via Crimestoppers, and if a date, time and place is given, they are usually (emergency jobs permitting) stopped and breathalised.

[Hatfield Girl]

Hi Mark,
 
The figures were issued yesterday (they must have read your post!).  113 were stopped with a positive breath test which was 10% of the total number stopped.  I think they said someting like 167 were positive the year before so there was a drop.

[jonmorris]

I don't know how to say this any other way than **** ME - 10%?

That's massive?

Seriously? 10% of those stopped were over the limit?

That's huge. ONE IN TEN!

On that basis, unless we're to believe people only drink at Christmas and drive, why the hell aren't the police out every single day doing this?

[Hatfield Girl]

They are out every day.  Maybe not doing check points, but the vehicles with ANPR are out every day.  If you did one of those FOI requests they could tell you how many drink drivers they catch.

[bbtzs]

I don't know how to say this any other way than **** ME - 10%?

That's massive?

Seriously? 10% of those stopped were over the limit?

That's huge. ONE IN TEN!

On that basis, unless we're to believe people only drink at Christmas and drive, why the hell aren't the police out every single day doing this?

Put another interpretation on it and say that they are targetting their stops well. A 10% Hit rate may mean they have inconvenienced the law abiding less and collared the law breaking better. In order to know the answer you would need some background info. The Police should have looked into this and should be able to answer I guess although it is possible they would not wish to overly go into their tactics. I dont know.

[markwoods39]

Hi Mark,
 
The figures were issued yesterday (they must have read your post!).  113 were stopped with a positive breath test which was 10% of the total number stopped.  I think they said someting like 167 were positive the year before so there was a drop.

Hi HG,Thank you for taking the time to let me know Good to see there is a drop this yr

[jonmorris]

ANPR can't find a drink/drug driver, so I am not sure what a FOI request would find.

If 10% of motorists in and around Hatfield are over the limit, I'd expect road blocks. We don't allow random breath testing, so how do the police actually stop these people?

I'd like to know how they can actually legally stop these people. If it's relying on an ANPR flag, then I'd suspect a lot of people are getting away with drink driving.

Bloody hell, my mum resigned as secretary of the IAM because the man at the top regularly had too many drinks and drove home! What a joke! (I won't say which branch, sorry!).

[bbtzs]

ANPR can't find a drink/drug driver, so I am not sure what a FOI request would find.

If 10% of motorists in and around Hatfield are over the limit, I'd expect road blocks. We don't allow random breath testing, so how do the police actually stop these people?

I'd like to know how they can actually legally stop these people. If it's relying on an ANPR flag, then I'd suspect a lot of people are getting away with drink driving.

Bloody hell, my mum resigned as secretary of the IAM because the man at the top regularly had too many drinks and drove home! What a joke! (I won't say which branch, sorry!).

I think we should review a little what you are suggesting. First, 10% OF THOSE STOPPED were found to be over. That is far, far different from 10% of the motorists in Hatfield.
The Police can stop a motorist if they suspect a traffic offence. ANPR can help because it automatically gives a clue about documentation being in order or not but, a light out or indicator not working or number plate light etc would count. Other reasons that can be used are, being involved in an accident, suspicion of alcohol, which may relate to the manner of driving, like drifting across the lane or erratic behaviour. Finally, if they stop someone for any reason and smell alcohol or by slurred speech, demeanour suspect alcohol, then they can insist on a test.
Whilst 'random' testing may not be allowed (I have a vague idea even that may have changed,) the Police view has always been that their powers allowed all they needed because if you didnt fit in the above, why would you bother doing a test anyway?

[jonmorris]

I realise that the stats were 10% of those stopped, but while it could be less as a whole (and, yes, I'd think that to be the case if you counted the percentage of all drivers in a day) - it could also potentially be more, certainly in the evening or the 'morning after'.

Not all motorists over the limit will drive in a way to arouse suspicion. I mentioned ANPR because you can't assume drink drivers will have some reason to trigger it (no tax, insurance, disqualified etc) or wander around, bumping into the kerb and the centre line. The ones that do are easy to spot and I've reported three in my life - two of which led to the car being stopped within minutes. The other saw the car crash into a ditch and the police took 15 minutes to arrive (an ambulance, by contrast, was there in minutes), by which time he'd staggered out, phoned a friend and been picked up to escape the scene! I got the number plate of the car that picked him up, but don't know what happened afterwards.

Also, people who drink drive often drive very short distances - which is why they convince themselves that they'll be fine. And, there aren't enough traffic cars to possibly catch these - which just confirms their suspicions and allows them to continue.

Christmas seems to be the time we all assume everyone who will drink drive will drive - but it will be happening every day. Today, I am certain that a people driving from the pub for lunch, after the football, or at closing, will be over the limit.

I am not sure if the law has in fact change on random tests (which would also apply to drugs), but I'd much prefer to be stopped every now and then to be checked even if I have not set of ANY alarm bells with an ANPR camera or police car.

[markwoods39]

I am not sure if the law has in fact change on random tests (which would also apply to drugs), but I'd much prefer to be stopped every now and then to be checked even if I have not set of ANY alarm bells with an ANPR camera or police car.

Good post JM

I also would not mind being stopped by the police for a check to see if I have been drinking or taking drugs.We often go out with friends and always get a taxi back home,it cost us £60 return which is nothing compared to a drink drive ban and a heavy fine.Why can't people see this & risk there lives and others

[Hatfield Girl]

I also would not mind being stopped by the police for a check to see if I have been drinking or taking drugs.We often go out with friends and always get a taxi back home,it cost us £60 return which is nothing compared to a drink drive ban and a heavy fine.Why can't people see this & risk there lives and others

They do it because they think it won't happen to them. 
 
You two don't mind being stopped because you're responsible but a lot of people do object.  I remember seeing one of those traffic cops shows which showed some Police with an ANPR camera pulling people over.  A car went past and the alarm went off because the car wasn't insured.  A black woman came out of a flat near the road and started yelling at the Police Officer saying that she had only poulled that car over because it had a black driver.  The Officer tried to explain that the alarm goes off on the car not the driver, but she was having none of it.