ONE person is caught drink driving in Huddersfield every day.
The shock revelation comes as it emerged today that 28 people were arrested for drink driving in Huddersfield over Christmas and New Year.
Of those arrested between December 18 and January 2, 13 had been involved in crashes. In all, Huddersfield police carried out 175 breath tests.
The figures - described as `disappointing' by the officer in charge of road policing in Huddersfield - show that people are still prepared to take the risk to drink and drive.
Sgt Andy Addy, of Huddersfield traffic police, said on average one person is caught behind the wheel while over the drink drive limit in the town every day. That average increased over Christmas.
Across West Yorkshire 1,634 tests were carried out and 164 were positive or the drivers refused to give a sample. This is 20 up on last year.
Sgt Addy said: "There are two kinds of drink drivers. Those who have always done it and feel they will never get caught.
"Then there are those who have a few drinks and risk it, sometimes because they are driving relatively short distances."
He said everyone caught will end up with at least a 12-month driving ban - and if they think they will flout it they ought to think again.
"Once convicted their name and address will appear in the Examiner's Court In Brief, so anyone who knows them will find out," he said.
"And if they get caught again, they are looking at the very real possibility of a jail term."
Sgt Addy revealed that five drivers were arrested for drink driving on December 22, with four detained on January 2. No-one was caught on Christmas Day.
But on New Year's Eve one man was arrested for being over the limit after crashing his car.
His friend on his way to the scene to pick up the man's passenger also crashed. He too was over the limit.
"We breath test drivers after every injury accident, no matter what time of the day it is," said Sgt Addy. "We are out to catch drink drivers all year round."
A CHIEF constable today called for the legal drink-drive alcohol limit to be cut.
The call came as new figures showed motorists continued to flout the rules during Christmas and new year.
The number of drivers involved in accidents who tested positive in breath tests during the two-week festive period remains close to 10%.
Richard Brunstrom, the head of road policing with the Association of Chief Police Officers, said:
"It is time the Government lowered the blood- alcohol limit from 80 milligrams to 50."
Huddersfield-based Brake, a road safety charity, wants a lowering of the limit to be included in the Road Safety Bill, which is due in the Commons next Tuesday.
