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Staffordshire Driver Blew 535mcg as Data Confirms Festive Drink-Driving Spike

Police plan more roadside checks over the holiday period after three-year figures show roughly one in ten breath-tested drivers over the limit.

Overview

  • A Staffordshire motorist recorded 535 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, the highest festive-period reading in English police data from 2022–2024.
  • Cinch’s review of December breath tests across those three years found about 10% of stopped drivers were over the legal limit.
  • Forces in the West Midlands and Staffordshire say they are stepping up roadside stops through the New Year as part of seasonal enforcement.
  • In a separate Oxfordshire case, Emma Thomas admitted drink driving after a 152mcg reading and received a community order and a 36-month ban.
  • North Wales Police figures for Christmas 2024 show 77 drink-drive arrests, 55 charges, and one driver found to be about four times over the limit.