More than one million motorists breath tested last month in Europe-wide police campaign

A pan-European operation last month saw police conduct 1,025,482 roadside breath tests for alcohol, of which 13,588 were positive. Motorists were also checked for drugs in the operation, which was organised by the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL) in 28 countries between 12 and 18 December.

Pasi Kemppainen (Inset), TISPOL president, said: 'The co-operation of a record number of European countries in this action is a firm endorsement of how seriously police take the issues of drink- and drug-driving.  

'The results demonstrate the effectiveness of our enforcement work, but we also want to ensure that road users understand the dangers of alcohol and drugs.  In particular, motorists need to be more aware of the use of prescribed drugs and the effect they can have on their driving.  By the use of education and enforcement, we can greatly reduce the number of people willing to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or taking drugs, whether prescribed or recreational, legal or illegal.

'TISPOL is committed to a united approach, working with other road safety stakeholders, governments and road safety organisations to provide effective deterrent messages. But we will also continue to seek out those drink drivers and drug drivers who ignore the warnings, and, in so doing, unnecessarily put their own lives and the lives of other innocent road users at risk,' he concluded.