Crackdown Total of 85 caught driving under the influence
SCORES of people were stopped driving while under the influence despite last month’s national lockdown meaning many of us were unable to visit a local.
Eighty-five people were arrested in Gloucestershire under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs between November 5 and December 1, compared to 75 people in the same period last year, when the pubs were open and people were going to work dos.
On December 1, Gloucestershire Constabulary launched a drink drive campaign to crack down on drivers under the influence over the festive period, and into the new year.
Two days later, on Thursday, December 3, police parked up in a layby on Hucclecote Road, Brockworth, just by the Gloucester Business Park Crossroads, and got their speed gun out to try and catch those who could potentially be driving under the influence.
“If we see a moving traffic offence, or the manner of driving is of such that we feel like there’s something wrong with [the driver], they’re either distracted in the driving seat or they’re just poor drivers, we’ll have a reason to pull them over and speak to them.” said PC Kurt Ravenhill, who attended the operation on Thursday morning.
“Also we may suspect that, just because of the manner of their driving, that they may be under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. So once we’ve got suspicion, we’ve then got the power to request a roadside breath test, but we’ve got to have that suspicion or a moving traffic offence to actually request that.”
A moving traffic offence applies to a number of dangerous, or potentially dangerous, driving styles, manoeuvres, or vehicle defects, including speeding or having a light out.
Another reason why police may pull over a vehicle is if the registration has been identified to the police as the car of a potential drink driver.
When a vehicle is stopped due to a moving traffic offence, police will request to do a roadside breath test - but there are a few things they will ask prior to administering the test.
If the driver has had a cigarette in the last 20 minutes, or used an e-cigarette in the last five minutes, it can give a false reading.
Food, drink (whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic), and things like mouthwash and chewing gum can also skew breathalyser readings.
PC Ravenhill said that, when pulled over, drivers will be asked not to eat or drink anything as the food or drink may alter the chemicals in their mouth.
“We were out yesterday [December 2] doing speed checks and we stopped about 14 cars just breathalysing - mainly speeding offences and giving advice.” PC Ravenhill said.
“Today, we’ve stopped probably a good dozen so far, just on speeding and lighting offences. Also, because of this bad weather coming up, we’re giving advice on tyres.
“In lockdown, we’ve had a slightly higher drink drive rate but only because there’s not a lot for people to do, and they’re going out risking it.
“People are fed up and want to get out and about and don’t think they’re over the limit, but it’s all about road safety for us.
“If we can stop someone dying, then we’ve achieved something.”
In total, 28 vehicles were stopped throughout the two hour operation on Thursday morning.
It is just one of many operations which will take place on both urban and rural roads throughout Gloucestershire as part of the campaign.
While road casualties caused by drink driving have fallen dramatically in the last 50 years, more than 40,000 people are convicted of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place while over the legal limit each year.