MOTORISTS of all ages in the Chester area are ignoring warnings about drinking and driving.
That is according to police figures, which show during a Christmas campaign to curb drink and drug driving, motorists both young and old broke the law.
More than a quarter of people who were arrested were under 25 years old, while 39 per cent were under 39. But at the other end of the age range, 18 per cent of drivers arrested were aged 50 or over.
Cheshire Police assistant chief constable Ruth Purdie said: “The figures are very similar to those for the previous year and they are disturbing.
“We consistently highlight the fact that drinking alcohol or drug-taking do not mix with driving. Our enforcement measures are very high profile, especially over Christmas.
“It seems some younger drivers are still not getting the message and some older drivers have lost sight of lessons they may have learned years ago.”
She added: “Over the Christmas and New Year period, some had risked having a couple of drinks and were surprised to find they were
over the limit. Others felt they would be OK because they had had something to eat as well as a few drinks.
“In fact, just one drink impairs your ability to react quickly and efficiently to situations which develop. The only safe way to approach this issue is not to drink at all if you intend to drive.
“Some drivers felt having a few drinks was all right because they were only travelling a short distance. That is a completely misguided approach. If you are behind the wheel and you have been drinking or taking drugs you are a danger to yourself and everyone else, whatever length your journey may be.”
Over the Christmas period 181 drivers were arrested for drink-drive or drug-drive offences in and around the Chester area.