Festive drink and drug-drive arrests fall in Greater Manchester

The figures are slightly down on last year

The number of people caught drink or drug-driving in Greater Manchester fell over the Christmas period.

Police said they arrested 507 drivers from 1 December to New Year's Day, a drop from the previous year of 536.

Roadside checks across the city region also found people using mobile phones at the wheel, failing to wear a seat belt and speeding.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said the figures showed a rise in drug-drivers.

He added: "Drink-driving figures are moving in the right direction in recent years."

The force carried out roadside tests across the city region

Fifty percent of the arrests were for drug-driving, 40% were for drink-drivers and 10% were failing to provide a specimen or roadside test.

The force reported 19 motorists were arrested on Christmas Eve, 13 on Christmas Day and 43 on New Year's Eve.

Ch Insp Michael Parker from GMP's road policing unit said: "It is unacceptable that so many motorists found it acceptable to put the public at risk by driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs on the roads of Greater Manchester.

"Our enforcement tactics and zero-tolerance approach run 365 days a year and not just over Christmas."

The force said earlier in December drug-driving was a rising problem.

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