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Disappointing World Cup drink drive figures

Figures released by two police authorities show worrying levels of drink drive convictions during the recent World Cup.

In Northamptonshire, 15% drivers tested were over the drink-drive limit or refused to take a breath test during a month-long crackdown between 5 June and 5 July.

Northamptonshire Police carried out 625 breath tests across the county and 91 of those tested were found to be over the limit. Almost one third of those arrested were young drivers aged between 17 and 24 years.

Almost one in 10 motorists breathalysed by police during the same period in Suffolk was over the limit. Suffolk Constabulary carried out 1,272 breath tests between 5 June and 5 July - 115 of which were positive.

The figure is even higher than the force's month-long Christmas drink-drive campaign, during which 6.4% of those tested provided positive breath tests.

Suffolk police blamed the figures on the recent hot weather, the World Cup and the fact that members of the public had informed police about many of the drink-drive suspects. But the force admits it is extremely disappointed motorists are still continuing to flout the law.

For the full story go to ttp://www.northamptonshire.co.uk/archives/00000634.htm orhttp://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx?

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