149 arrests for drink and drug-driving
Almost 150 motorists were arrested for drink and drugdriving over Christmas and New Year, Northumbria Police has revealed.
At the beginning of December, the force pledged its support to the annual Christmas Drink and Drug Driving Campaign led by the National Police Chief ’s Council (NPCC).
Motor Patrols officers and the force’s Operation Dragoon motor patrol team were deployed across the region to carry out roadside stops to test drivers for drink and drugs.
The campaign ran from the beginning of December to New Year’s Day as people took the risk of getting behind the wheel as they enjoyed a drink with friends, families and colleagues over Christmas and New Year.
And today officers have revealed that 149 people were arrested for drink or drug-driving as part of this year’s winter campaign
Sergeant Matt Sykes, who leads the Operation Dragoon team, said: “This year’s campaign was a success but I will never be happy to see so many people continuing to get behind the wheel while under the influence.
“Those people who do take the risks clearly don’t think about the families of those people who have died at the hands of a driver who is on drugs or drunk.
“My colleagues are often the first ones on the scene of these types of collisions and some of the things we have seen are horrific. Nobody should ever have to witness that or have to suffer due to the irresponsible unlawful actions of another.
“The reality is that anyone who gets behind the wheel whilst drunk or on drugs are putting the lives of innocent people at risk and they will be dealt with robustly. We have a zero tolerance for this type of offending and this campaign was all about stopping those who flout the laws from being able to take to the roads.
“In that regard the campaign has been a success and a number of people face driving disqualifications, substantial fines and even being sent to prison as a result of our activity and their actions.”
In the Northumbria force area, 133 people were arrested for drink-driving while 16 were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. The figures remain at a similar level to previous campaigns.