Industry News from Yes Insurance

The number of drivers found over the limit during the Christmas period is down on last year, say the West Yorkshire Police, in news that could signal lower car insurance costs for motorists.

Department for Transport (DfT) officials, along with the Association of Chief Police Officers, ran a THINK! drink-driving campaign in which some 145,867 drivers in England and Wales were breathalysed over the festive season, with 9,568 (6.6 per cent) testing positive.

This is down from the 6.9 per cent who tested positively in 2005.

Of the 12,494 drivers tested at the scene of an accident, 915 (7.3 per cent) were found to be over the limit - down by 1.3 per cent on 2005.

"This shows what can be achieved by a joint approach, comprising a hard-hitting THINK! campaign educating motorists about the dangers of driving even after one drink and tough enforcement," said transport secretary Douglas Alexander.

The DfT reports that drink-driving kills or seriously injures an average of 3,000 people annually - crashes can also result in a hefty car insurance claim even for those lucky enough to be unhurt.

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