Ninety people have been arrested for the offence so far in 2015 – compared to 74 during the same period last year.
In an effort to tackle the problem the States police say they will be increasing road checks and encouraging road users to look out for each other during a campaign that will run for the rest of the month.
In addition the force intend to step up their enforcement activity by sending officers out in marked and unmarked cars to monitor behaviour on the roads and the police say they will be acting on information to locate and arrest drink drivers wherever possible.
In Jersey one person is seriously injured every week as a result of a road traffic collision. The force say that ‘in a small Island these figures are clearly unacceptable’.
Inspector Paul Smith warned drink-drivers that they will be caught and added that the force welcomes any information that assists them in catching drivers who ‘feel they have a right to put each and every one of us at risk’ by driving while under the influence of alcohol.
The Inspector also warned that Islanders may still be over the limit the next day after drinking and for this reason the police will be conducting road checks in the morning as well as at other times of the day and night.
Chief Inspector James Wileman said the figures for drink-driving in Jersey are ‘disappointing’ and said a person drinking and driving ‘demonstrates a complete disregard for the drivers themselves, their friends and family, and those around them’.
He added: ‘It’s irresponsible and anti-social and it has no place in our community. We live in a small community and should be looking out for one another.’
The force added that if a person is convicted of drink-driving the consequences go well beyond the prospect of a £2,000 fine or six months in prison and a disqualification from driving.
‘If you are involved in a road traffic collision in Jersey where the police attend you will be subject to a roadside breath test. If you’re convicted of drink driving, your life will change,’ the force said.
The police say drink-drivers will face difficulties entering certain countries, could lose their job and pay vastly more for car insurance in the future.
‘Alcohol tends to make you feel over-confident and more likely to take risks when driving, increasing the danger to all road users, including the driver themselves,’ they added.
