Over 300 drink and drug driving offences in December

Over 300 drink and drug driving offences have been committed by irresponsible motorists during Kent Police’s annual Christmas enforcement campaign.

Patrols across the county have been carrying out stop checks and testing people involved in road traffic collisions for the presence of alcohol or illegal substances that impair their ability to drive.

The campaign is part of the national Operation Limit initiative, which aims to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured during the festive period and runs throughout December.

Between 1 and 29 December there were a total of 301 offences resulting in arrests including 104 for drink driving, 80 for drug driving, 85 for being unfit to drive due to drink or drugs, and 32 for failing to provide a specimen for testing.

Risk of harm

Chief Inspector Craig West, Head of Roads Policing, said:

‘Driving while impaired by drink or drugs is one of the leading causes of serious road collisions, alongside speeding, failing to wear a seatbelt, and using a mobile phone or other electronic device at the wheel. ‘There are still far too many people who are putting themselves and other road users at risk of harm, and they have been arrested and will be brought before the courts. ‘If you are planning to celebrate the New Year with a drink then please do not drive. Arrange alternative transport to get home safely or risk being arrested, receiving a conviction and being banned from driving.’