The annual Christmas drink driving campaign takes place between Tuesday 1 December and Friday 1 January and will see officers breathalysing motorists in a bid to prevent deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
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The kits are able to detect the presence of drugs in drivers’ saliva and can be used at the roadside.
Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, lead officer on roads policing for the National Police Chiefs Council and Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary, said: “The impact of drink or drug driving can be devastating so police forces are committed to keeping our roads safe”.
Chris Broadbent, from the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership, said: “This is a vital campaign which we support every year that aims to stop people from driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs”.
“The best advice for drivers is don’t drink and the best advice for drinkers is don’t drive”. They are hosting a number of events across the region throughout the Christmas period, to highlight the potentially fatal risks to drivers and to other road users.
Last winter, 146 people had a Christmas to forget after being arrested by the Op Dragoon team following a positive breathalyser test on the roadside.
That’s according to research from The Co-op Insurance, which also found that one in ten would have at least one alcoholic drink this Christmas before driving.
New research from THINK! shows that while half the population (51%) would not consider consuming any alcoholic drinks before driving, a shocking one in ten people would consider having two or more drinks before they get behind the wheel.
A statement by Hampshire Police says the campaign reinforces the stark message that motorists who drink-drive risk ruining not just their own life, but the lives of others too, such as passengers and pedestrians.
“I would urge anyone with information about people who drink or take drugs and drive to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111”.
In a survey conducted past year by Brake and Direct Line, three per cent of United Kingdom motorists admitted driving while on illegal drugs in the previous 12 months.
Anyone with suspicions someone may be driving under the influence of drink or drugs should text the force on 65999 with details or visit the Operation Crackdown website.
If you’re planning on driving the morning after having a drink be aware that you may still be over the limit and plan accordingly, which could mean moderating your intake, making alternative arrangements or allowing extra time. They are warned that the limits for all illegal drugs are extremely low and taking even a very small amount could put you over the limit.
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This campaign will make people think twice before taking another drink, helping to make our roads safer.
