Dozens of people were killed or injured in drink driving incidents in Bolton over a three-year period - but the latest figures show there has been reduction compared to previous years.
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities figures show 30 people were killed or injured in a crash in Bolton where there was a failed breathalyser test, or where the driver refused to take one, between 2018 and 2020.
This means that drink driving incidents accounted for two per cent of all casualties on the borough’s roads during in that time.
The latest number was down from 41 between 2017 and 2019, and Bolton saw less incidents than its nearest neighbours, with Salford’s drink-related incidents up to 49 from 48 over the two periods, and Bury’s 29 incidents remaining the same.
The latest figures include 2020, during which successive lockdowns reduced driving.
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Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has conducted a number of operations Bolton in recent times, which focus on keeping the roads safer.
Superintendent Steph Parker, of GMP's Bolton district, 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.”
GMP also previously launched Operation Portman on the back end of when these figures were recorded in December 2020 in response to concerns over the number of serious road incidents in the town.
A total of 564 drivers in Bolton were reported for allegedly committing a range of offences in the space of 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 number 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.”
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18
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