Motorists back drink-drive crackdown (From Witney Gazette)

Motorists back drink-drive crackdown

MOTORISTS stopped as part of a crackdown on summer drink-driving have supported the campaign.

More than a dozen drivers were breath tested during stop-checks in Oxford, but no one tested positive for excess alcohol or drugs.

However, across the county, two drivers were caught over the limit on Monday, four failed the breath test on Tuesday, but no motorists were arrested on Wednesday.

This week's checks, at the roundabout between Grenoble Road and Garsington Road, came at the start of a police blitz on drink-drivers.

David Bradley, 50, of Sandford-on-Thames, near Oxford, was breath tested and was under the limit.

He said: "Drink-driving is antisocial and these checks are a good idea if they stop innocent people from becoming victims."

A 40-year-old man from Oxford, who asked not to be named, was also under the limit - despite saying he had drunk three pints of lager.

He said: "I took a bit of a chance. I was honest and said I had three pints at lunch, but was very relieved."

Police also stopped John Byles, 62, of Blackbird Leys, Oxford, who admitted he had been drinking during the day.

He was breath tested but was not over the limit.

He said: "Personally I can't understand why someone would get drunk and then drive.

"I think it's a bigger problem with young people who are driving around late at night."

PC Gary Froud, of the Bicester traffic unit, said: "Recent publicity may have helped. But what concerns me is whether people will go back to drinking and driving after this campaign goes out of people's minds, in the next week or month."

Thames Valley Police will be carrying out stop-checks on drivers across the county every afternoon, and after pub closing times, throughout August.

During last summer's crackdown, 148 drivers were stopped, and 26 were arrested for drink-driving.

Last Christmas, 1,926 drivers gave breath samples, with 251 over the limit.