RoSPA 'disappointed' by drink-drive figures

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has said it is disappointed to find many motorists decided to drink or drug-drive over the Christmas period.

Speaking in response to new figures released by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) that showed 7,124 people were arrested as part of a month-long crackdown on such activity in England and Wales, the motoring guide company noted it was sad - but not surprised - to hear of the figures.

Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the RoSPA - which has been in operation for more than 90 years - stated: "Drink-driving kills and maims. Provisional figures show that 250 people were killed in drink-drive accidents on Great Britain's roads in 2010 - accounting for 14 per cent of all road fatalities."

According to the statistics from the ACPO, 4.55 per cent of those who were breathalysed during the crackdown period were arrested by police on suspicion of either drink or drug-driving offences.