POLICE in South Devon recently conducted seasonal drink drive checks as part of Operation Limit.

The Torquay Neighbourhood Police Team saw more than 200 vehicles pass through its check point on Torbay Road last weekend.

Saturday night [December 13] was extremely busy for officers and during two and a half hours a total of 15 breath tests were administered by police – no drivers were found to be over the drink drive limit.

Sergeant Neil Powers, from the Torquay Neighbourhood Police Team, said: ‘We are pleased that no motorists at all were found to be over the legal drink drive limit during this operation and we hope that drivers continue to be sensible and don’t take risks over the festive period.

‘Using drink or drugs behind the wheel can be very dangerous for drivers and other road users and can lead to serious or fatal road traffic collisions.

‘We will continue to make regular checks on drivers and urge them to make sure they stick to soft drinks if they think they may need to drive somewhere.

‘We would also like to remind motorists that alcohol remains in the system for quite some time so if you have had a few drinks the night before you may not be safe to get behind the wheel the next morning and could be over the legal drink drive limit’.

During the operation on Saturday, December 13 one driver provided a sample of 25mg of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath and another provided a reading of 17mg (the legal limit is 35mcg in 100 millilitres of breath).

Advice was issued to these drivers around the consequences of their behaviour.

Officers also gave advice on the state of vehicles to 22 drivers; this included defective headlamps and rear number plates not being illuminated.