MORE drivers were arrested for drink driving over the Christmas period than the year before - even though there was less traffic on the roads and fewer motorists were stopped.
A total of 20 drivers were arrested and 10 of those charged during the anti-drink driving campaign which ran from December 1 2010 to yesterday (January 4 2011). During that time 497 motorists were stopped.
The year before 875 drivers were stopped and just 16 arrested for drink driving, with eight charged.
Inspector Mark Britton of the Roads Policing Unit said: "This year the number of stops is down and this is due to the very bad weather conditions that affected the Island for more than a week.
"This year the focus was diverted from the drink drive campaign to manage the roads and it is true to say for a few days there was substantially less traffic on the roads.
"The Roads Policing Unit in partnership with the Department of Infrastructure Road Safety Team and Neighbourhood Policing Teams still stopped nearly 500 vehicles over the period.
"I am astounded though that some still insist on taking the risk with their and other people's lives by drinking and driving.
"This year the campaign of 'Don't Drink and Drive this Christmas' with the headlines of 'I should have crashed at my mate's house last night' and 'think of the mourning after' were designed to be harder hitting than in previous years and highlighted the realities that drinking and driving can end in tragedy.
"In any event even an arrest for drink driving can wreck someone's life. There were 20 arrests this year for drink driving and 10 were charged.
"It is encouraging to see generally low figures but it still demonstrates the risks people will take.
"Preventing, enforcing and detecting drink driving remains a priority for the Isle of Man Constabulary throughout the year.
"Whilst there will be another coordinated campaign in the summer of 2011 people still need to hear the message to stop drink driving. We would like to hear from anyone who wants to tell us about a drink driver or potential drink driver."
Gordon Edwards of the Department of Infrastructure Road Safety Team added: "For this year's joint Department of Infrastructure's Road Safety Team and Road Policing team campaign the hard hitting poster images displayed in public houses were supplemented by publicity on petrol pump nozzles and messages on some off licence till receipts.
"Specially commissioned radio adverts were broadcast and the radio stations were keen to give the campaign a mention.
"The Road Safety Team generated further publicity by running two slogan competitions which will assist the team with next year's campaign."
Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne said: "I would like to thank the many businesses and organisations who helped the department with this year's campaign.
"Although the figures seem low my department will continue to deliver targeted road safety campaigns as long as a small number of motorists continue to drink and drive on our Island's roads."
The figures in full: Stops 497 (875 in 2009), 20 arrests (16), 10 charged (8), 6 Bailed (4), 4 no further action (3).
