Over 800 vehicles stopped during Christmas campaign against drink and drug driving

Police in Suffolk stopped 816 vehicles and made 124 arrests during the annual Christmas campaign highlighting the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

The month-long initiative ran between Friday 1 December until Monday 1 January, in conjunction with a UK-wide operation organised by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

The campaign involved officers carrying out roadside checks throughout the day and night, as well as intelligence-led enforcement activity. Alongside this, social media messaging was used to remind the public there is #NoExcuse when it comes to driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

A total of 682 breath tests were conducted in Suffolk, alongside 134 drug wipes. Of those tests:

• 47 people were arrested following a positive breath test
• 66 people were arrested following a positive drug wipe
• 10 people were arrested on suspicion of being unfit through drink or drugs
• One person was arrested after failing a field impairment test

Of all the people who failed a test, 86% were male (compared to 85% last year) and 14% were under the age of 25 (compared to 20% last year).

Chief Inspector Vicky McParland, of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team, said: “Despite casualties falling dramatically in the last 50 years, thanks to campaigns such as these, it is evident that they are still necessary.

“Nearly 250 people were arrested for drink and drug driving across Norfolk and Suffolk throughout the campaign - this is eight people on average every single day. I am incredibly disappointed to see this level of people choosing to put their lives and the lives of other road users at risk.

“Although our Christmas campaign gives us the opportunity to highlight the dangers of drink/drug driving to the public, it is something we enforce every day of the year. We will continue to work to remove dangerous drivers from Norfolk’s and Suffolk’s roads. There is #NoExcuse.”

Tim Passmore, Police & Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said: "I fully support the roads policing team in this annual campaign to rid our roads of drivers who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“It is very disappointing that this issue persists. I really would hope the message would have landed by now. There is never any excuse for anyone to get behind the wheel unfit to drive.

“I find it absolutely unbelievable that more than 15% of the 816 drivers stopped over the festive period were arrested, putting not only themselves but all other road users at risk. This contemptible behaviour is grossly irresponsible and selfish.

“I’d just like to point out that although this was a particular focus in December our roads policing officers cover the county 24/7, constantly monitoring driver behaviour so I would urge all irresponsible drivers to beware.”

Anyone with information about suspected drink or drug driving should contact Suffolk Police:

Website: https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us

Phone: 101

Crimestoppers: Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

In case of an emergency, or if you believe a crime is in progress, always dial 999

 

Previous release | 1 December 2023

“I’ve only had two.”

“I didn’t feel drunk.”

“It has never been a problem before.”

Officers hear excuses, like those mentioned above, on a daily basis when they pull over drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

That’s why this year, Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies are calling on the public to consider there really is #NoExcuse when it comes to getting behind the wheel if you’ve had a drink or taken drugs.

Thanks to campaigns such as this, in the last 50 years, casualties on the road caused by drink driving has fallen dramatically. However, we recognise the temptation to drink and drive does increase over the festive period.

Alcohol is not the only threat to road safety. The Department for Transport have found a six-fold increase in the number of people caught driving whilst under the influence of drugs.

Combining drink and drugs and then choosing to drive can have catastrophic consequences as drivers who have consumed both are 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision.

Chief Inspector Vicky McParland, Head of the joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “It is important to recognise that the risk does not end with your night out. Most drink drive offences are committed between 7pm and 7am. You need to be mindful that you may still be over the limit the morning after if you have drunk alcohol or for several days if you have taken drugs.”

This year’s campaign starts today (Friday 1 December 2023) and will finish on Monday 1 January 2024.

As a part of the campaign, officers from the Roads and Armed Policing Team will be breathalysing every driver they speak to throughout the month. This gives us the perfect opportunity to engage with drivers and discuss the dangers of drink driving.

Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies have also secured funding from National Highways which will be used to purchase additional drug wipes to be used throughout the campaign. This funding will help to expand our testing capability and ultimately increase our chances detecting drug drivers on our roads.

Lawrence Seager, Regional Safety Programme Manager from National Highways said: “Driving whilst under the influence of drugs is not only illegal, but extremely dangerous, affecting driving behaviour in numerous ways.

“This can include impairment of awareness, judgment and reaction times, putting both the user and other road users in danger.

It has no place in our communities and so National Highways fully supports this campaign.”

Tim Passmore, Police & Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said: “There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to get behind the wheel of a vehicle if they are unfit to drive. We all know drink and drug driving kills.

“I know the vast majority of drivers are responsible but sadly there are still those, who despite the obvious dangers, insist on taking to the road under the influence of drink or drugs. My message to those irresponsible drivers, who have chosen to ignore the law, is take heed, our road policing officers are out across the county all day, every day and if you get caught you will be prosecuted.

“I fully support Suffolk Constabulary in this campaign; it sends out a very clear message, do not drink/drug drive. There’s absolutely no excuse.”

Anyone with information about suspected drink or drug driving should contact Suffolk Police via the following channels:

Report online: https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us   

Phone: 101 

Crimestoppers: Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

In case of an emergency, or if you believe a crime is in progress, always dial 999.

Don’t forget to follow the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team on Twitter @NSRAPT or updates throughout the campaign.