149 drivers arrested for drug and drink driving in a festive crackdown
NORTHUMBRIA POLICE HAIL MONTH-LONG CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS
POLICE have revealed more than 140 people were arrested for drink and drug driving over Christmas.
At the beginning of December Northumbria Police began their crackdown on motorists under the influence in the lead-up to the festive period.
Motor patrols officers and the Operation Dragoon team were deployed across the region to carry out road-side stops to test drivers for drink and drugs.
The campaign ran through the month of December and New Year’s Day as people took the risk of being behind the wheel as they enjoyed a drink with friends, families and colleagues at Christmas.
Officers have now revealed 149 people were arrested for drink or drug driving as part of this year’s winter campaign.
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.
Sergeant Matt Sykes leads Northumbria Police’s Operation Dragoon team who play in important role in educating the public on how to stay safe on the road.
He 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 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 anyone who gets behind the wheel while 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.
“Our efforts to combat this type of behaviour do not stop here and our message to offenders is a simple one – if you get behind the wheel while under the influence you will be arrested and you will be put before the courts.”
If caught and convicted there are severe penalties - a minimum driving disqualification of 12 months, a criminal record, up to six months in prison and an unlimited fine.
Sergeant Sykes added: “We have specialist roadside testing kits which can detect whether a person is under the influence of drugs.
“If you are driving while on drugs then you should expect to be arrested.
“It has been proved both drink and drugs can impair a person’s ability to drive and we hope that the message of this campaign gets through – it is never acceptable to drink or drug drive.”