Countywide – Over 90 arrests made during Fatal Four campaign

Police in Suffolk made over 90 arrests during the month-long summer campaign which targeted drivers committing fatal four offences including: drink/drug driving, use of mobile phone, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt.

The initiative ran between Monday 1 July until Wednesday 31 July, in conjunction with a UK-wide operation organised by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

During the month of July, people killed and seriously injured on the roads increase by over 20 per cent (20.23%) based on the average across the year, in data collated from 2018-2022.

This happens for various reasons including people making longer journeys and travelling outside of their local area during the holiday season. People tend to make more journeys due to the nicer weather, including vulnerable road users such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. New hobbies are also often explored during the summer months such as running, walking and cycling.

The campaign involved officers carrying out roadside checks throughout the day and night, as well as intelligence-led enforcement activity.

A total of 92 people were arrested in Suffolk. Of those arrests:

• 30 people were arrested following a positive breath test
• 37 people were arrested following a positive drug wipe
• 6 people were arrested after being found unfit through drink or drugs
• 11 people were arrested for failing to provide a sample
• 8 people were arrested for being in charge of a vehicle whilst above the limit for drink/drugs

84 people were found to not be in proper control of their vehicle through use of their mobile phone. 46 people were found to not be wearing a seatbelt.

4514 people were found to be speeding throughout July. This consisted of 4397 offences detected by a speed camera and 117 offences dealt with by a police officer. To date, one of these offending drivers have been prosecuted, 207 drivers have attended speed awareness courses and 97 have paid Fixed Penalty Notices.

Inspector Gary Miller, of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team, said: “Although this campaign aimed to target all fatal four offences, we placed a specific focus on driving whilst under the influence of drink and drugs due to the Euros tournament.

“Unfortunately, over 90 people put themselves and others at risk by choosing to drink/drug drive. Their actions could have had devastating consequences.

“We will continue to run campaigns such as this as we work with road users and explain the risks attached to their behaviours.”

Tim Passmore, Suffolk’s Police & Crime Commissioner, said: “Another set of disappointing results following the summer campaign to highlight the obvious dangers of the fatal four.

“This is great work from the roads policing officers but quite disturbing to see how many drivers are willing to risk their own lives and the lives of others.

“I find it incredible that despite all the publicity and the extra enforcement, people are still not heeding the message – don’t drive under the influence of drink or drugs, wear a seatbelt, don’t use your phone and match your speed to the road conditions. It’s really not that difficult.”