More than 200 arrests during winter driving campaign

The latest drink and drug driving campaign saw a total of 249 drivers arrested as part of the force’s commitment to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the county’s roads.

Throughout December 2022, officers from the Roads Policing Unit targeted those they suspected to be impaired through drink or drugs while behind the wheel as part of Op Limit – the annual national drink and drug-drive campaign.

Of those arrests, a total of 136 were arrested for drink driving related offences, 91 for drug driving offences and 22 for failing to provide a specimen.

Chief Inspector Craig West, Head of Roads Policing, said: ‘Driving after just one drink can double the chances of having a collision and getting behind the wheel at twice the legal limit makes drivers 30 times more likely to cause a collision.

‘The Christmas and New Year period has historically proven to be a time when offences of this nature increase, which is why it is important that we continually run these types of campaigns, not just during the winter months but all year round.

‘It doesn't matter what day it is, do not drive at all if you have been drinking any amount of alcohol, no matter how small, or if you are impaired by prescription or illegal drugs.

'We are passionate about changing bad driving behaviour on our roads to protect all those that use them.'