POLICE last today claimed their anti-drink drive message was getting through after all 134 drivers pulled over as part of a major rogue motoring crackdown tested negative.

Laurence Cawley

POLICE today claimed their anti-drink drive message was getting through after all 134 drivers pulled over as part of a major rogue motoring crackdown tested negative.

Chief Inspector Neal Atwell said he was “delighted” by the results of Operation Guardian carried out in Stowmarket, Bury St Edmunds and Newmarket on Friday night.

He said he hoped motorists continued to “heed the 'don't drink and drive' message” following the night-time operation.

Although no drink-drivers were pulled over, the operation did yield 30 speeding motorists, who were slapped with a fine, five people driving without a seatbelt and 11 drivers who were fined for vehicle defects.

Ch Insp Atwell said: “The aim of this operation was to raise the awareness of offences that can and often do lead to serious injuries or deaths, particularly drink and drug driving during the festive season, and to reduce opportunities for crime by denying criminals the use of the roads.

“One vehicle was seized for having no insurance - often offenders go out to commit crime in vehicles which are untaxed, uninsured and not roadworthy. By removing these vehicles we can make the roads safer and take away opportunities to commit crime.

“Most of the drivers we stopped for traffic offences responded in a positive manner, they acknowledged the offence they had committed and were receptive to the advice we gave them.

“Every person who received a fixed penalty notice also received a leaflet advising on the law and the consequences, both for them and for others, of flouting the rules of the road. I am delighted that every single breath test we carried out was negative, and I hope that drivers continue to heed the 'don't drink and drive' message this Christmas.

“A mixture of town centre, residential and rural locations were targeted - we want to get across the message that driving too fast, whilst drunk or on the phone or without a seatbelt is unacceptable wherever you are, and officers will be there to catch you.

“A lapse in concentration or excess speed can have severe, possibly fatal consequences, no matter where you are. I hope that by stopping this minority of drivers, we can change their driving behaviour and make the roads in west Suffolk safer this Christmas.”

Further operations are planned during the coming months.