Caernarfon Herald

Police launch crackdown on drink and drug drivers

-

A MAN was arrested on suspicion of drinkdrivi­ng and other offences in Wrexham on the first day of a police crackdown.

The 31-year-old was pulled over by officers from North Wales Police on Watery Road just after 11.31am.

He is being held on suspicion of drink-driving, drug-driving and possession of class A drugs.

The driver was also arrested on suspicion of failing to stop for police and driving without insurance.

Police blocked off the road temporaril­y during the incident causing heavy delays in the area for around an hour.

It came on the first day of a Wales-wide summer anti-drink-and-drug-driving campaign. The month-long campaign, running throughout June, is being led by Gwent Police on behalf of the four Welsh police forces including North Wales Police.

Officers will be on the roads in force targeting drivers who risk their lives and the lives of others by driving while drunk or on drugs.

Last summer in Wales, more than 9,500 motorists took part in the campaign, with more than 300 returning either positive results or failing/refusing to take the breath test.

In North Wales, a total of 3,958 breath tests were carried out, of which some 78 were positive.

Officers in the region also administer­ed 60 drugs tests with 36 being positive.

Inspector Dave Cust of North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit said: “The lighter evenings and warmer weather are great reasons to get together with friends and family.

“We want people to enjoy themselves but to stay safe and responsibl­e by not getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

“Taking just one chance and getting behind the wheel, when under the influence of drink or drugs can have truly devastatin­g consequenc­es.”

Susan Storch, chairwoman of Road Safety Wales, said: “Drivers should be under no illusion that if they get behind the wheel whilst under the influence they not only risk their licence, receiving a fine and a prison sentence, but they are risking lives too.

“Drivers need to be aware that regardless of the time of day they are caught, whether they are going to work or taking children to school, they will face the same penalties as someone who has chosen to drink heavily in a pub and driven at night.

“Our message is clear: never drive under the influence of drink or drugs, even the morning after.” ● Anyone with informatio­n regarding individual­s who are believed to drive whilst over the legal limit or under the influence of drugs, can contact North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestopp­ers anonymousl­y on 0800 555 111.

 ??  ?? Officers will be on the roads in force targeting drivers who risk their lives and the lives of others by driving while drunk or on drugs
Officers will be on the roads in force targeting drivers who risk their lives and the lives of others by driving while drunk or on drugs

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom