Bolton has seen dozens of drink driving deaths and injuries over a three-year period, but new government figures show that number has dropped in the following three-year analysis.
According to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, there were 30 people injured or killed in road accidents where at least one person failed a roadside breath test (or refused to take one) between 2018 and 2020. This accounts for two per cent of all casualties on Bolton’s roads during that period.
That figure is a reduction on the figure of 41 from 2017 to 2019, and remains less than neighbouring boroughs’ drink driving figures with Salford recording 49 deaths or injuries (up from 48) and Bury recording 29 over both periods.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has conducted several operations in Bolton over recent months with a view to improving safety on the area’s roads.
Superintendent Steph Parker said: “Making roads safer for all who use them is a priority for officers in Bolton, as it is for officers across the force. We know that alcohol and drugs can be a contributing factor in collisions, which sometimes result in serious injuries or fatalities.
“We are taking a multi-agency proactive approach to fighting, preventing and reducing crimes committed on our roads, including drink and drug driving, to keep both motorists and pedestrians safe. This includes days of action under Operation Avro and Operation Vortex, for example.
“In July, an Operation Vortex day of action in Bolton resulted in officers recording 102 traffic offences, 29 speed offences, issuing 19 prohibition notices, seizing five vehicles and making four arrests.”
Before Operation Vortex, GMP also launched Operation Portman in response to 2020s figures, with concerns raised over the number of serious road incidents in the town. The operation led to 564 separate reports of road traffic offences in the space of just a month.
Bolton Council cabinet member for stronger communities, Cllr Mudasir Dean, said: “I’d like to congratulate Greater Manchester Police on the reduction of these numbers in Bolton.
“I know from our regular communication that speeding is very much an issue, and they are proactively looking at that.
“People are aware that there is more of a police presence on the streets now so that may have helped reduce the number of drink driving incidents.”
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
