Almost 180 arrested for drink and drug-driving festive crackdown

More than 4,000 drivers have been breath tested in Durham and Cleveland during a drink and drug Christmas crackdown

The tests were carried out throughout last month by the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit (CDSOU) during their annual Christmas drink and drugdrive campaign.

In total, 119 drivers were arrested for drink-driving and 60 were arrested for drugdriving.

This compares to 116 drinkdrivers and 57 people who tested positive for drugs during the same campaign last year.

A number of operations to stop check vehicles were carried out, both in the morning and the evening, where drivers were asked to provide a voluntary breath test.

Officers also targeted activities in areas known for drinkrelated collisions and drink or drug-drive offenders.

Chief Inspector Grahame Milne, of the CDSOU, said: “Drink-driving accounts for one in six UK road deaths. This is a stark statistic which we hope will hit home with anyone who is even considering driving under the influence.

“We continue to warn people against the dangers of drink and drug driving but unfortunately, there is still a small but significant number of people who seem to think they can take risks.”