269 held for drunk-driving in pre-Christmas surveillance

A total of 269 drivers were apprehended, many suspected of drunk driving, in intensified police surveillance of Christmas party traffic during the last two weekends, said a press release.

The police breathalysed a total of 73,306 drivers during the two weekends. Out of the detainees, 77 were suspected of aggravated drunk driving. A total of 62 wanted persons were caught and four firearms offences were reported.

The number of drunk drivers has remained at around the same level compared to the similar surveillance exercise last year.

On average, every 273rd driver stopped by the patrols was suspected of drunk driving and every 91st driver’s breathalyser test detected alcohol under the punishable level.

Breathalyser patrols were performed during evening and night-time ‘Christmas party’ traffic in particular.

“The police are trying to prevent crime by informing the public. This has now succeeded, given that 21 (7.2%) fewer people suspected of drunk driving were apprehended compared to the first weekend, despite the number of breathalyser tests being the same,” said Chief Superintendent HeikkiKallio of the National Police Board.

Surveillance of drunk driving will continue throughout the country until the end of the Christmas season, the press release added.