The Isle of Man Constabulary have released the following figures from this year's anti drink drive campaign (last year’s are in brackets):
 
Stops 612 (819)
19 (13) arrests
11 (9) charged
5 (2) bailed
3 (2) released no proceedings.
 
Sergeant Allan Thompson of the Roads Policing Unit advised that the Anti Drink Drive Campaign ran from 3rd December to 2nd January.
 
The number of stops this year are down on the previous year as there were issues with flooding and prioritising keeping our roads safe during heavy traffic periods and contending with hazardous road conditions.
 
The Roads Policing Unit, along with local Neighbourhood Policing Teams conducted in excess of 600 stops during the period.
 
There is an increase in arrests which is down to better targeting of resources and a more proactive mindset by officers on patrol during the period.
 
The Road Safety Unit’s ‘Drinking and Driving Specials’ has been well publicised and advertises the penalties, but still people will ignore the risks, of the 11 charged 7 have already been convicted with bans of up to 3 years being levied by the Court.

Gordon Edwards Road Safety Manager commented, “It’s disappointing that more drink driving arrests have occurred this year despite the campaign giving details of the late buses and taxis. There are, so far, 7 drivers who have been brought before the courts who now wished they’d heeded this message.”
 
Drinking and driving remains a huge concern for our teams in keeping our roads safe and we welcome anyone wanting to pass on information about persons suspected of driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs. We guarantee that positive action will be taken.