Drink-drivers are ‘reckless and stupid’
TOP COP BLASTS SELFISH ROAD OFFENDERS
A TOP Derbyshire police officer has hit out at selfish drink and drugdrivers who leave families heartbroken as a result of their actions.
Inspector Greg Hunt, of the Derbyshire Roads Policing Unit, says motorists who set off under the influence are “reckless and stupid” and put other people’s lives at risk.
Speaking to sister newspaper the Derby Telegraph, the 40-year-old said his team were working hard to stop offenders on the roads, and to prevent more lives from being ruined as a result.
Inspector Hunt said an example of the havoc such offenders can cause could be seen in one crash that devastated two families and ruined the life of the man behind the wheel.
Two women were killed when the car they were travelling in was hit by a BMW being driven by a man travelling at 90mph who had taken cannabis and cocaine.
Daniel Young, the man behind the wheel, was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving in relation to the incident in the north of the county in 2020.
Inspector Hunt said the aftermath of incidents like these stays with his officers, which makes the “common” use of drugs more frustrating.
“Certainly that one – he killed two people, he ruined countless lives by just being reckless and stupid,” he said.
“It has had a real effect and two families were left behind.
“Drug use is more common these days than it has been previously.
“You are a risk when you get behind the wheel, even with prescription drugs. My plea to all drivers is just be sensible.
“I would like to think my fleet will be out there stopping them.”
The inspector added: “It’s not worth the risk - [drink and drugdriving] wrecks lives. It’s a horrendous thing.” The 21-year veteran of the force added that officers were continuing to focus on drivers committing the “fatal 4” – not wearing seatbelts, speeding, using mobile phones, and drink and drug-driving. Inspector Hunt said that most crashes are caused by people committing at least one of these offences.
He said that most offences being dealt with were, perhaps unsurprisingly, taking place on the county’s busiest roads including the A38, A52, A50 and A6.
“This year we’ve had an increase in KSIS [Kill or Serious Injury incidents] from last year,” he said. “Last year we had a sharp decrease due to Covid, which saw traffic flows drop.”
This year we have had an increase in Kill or Serious Injury incidents from last year.
Inspector Greg Hunt