100+ drivers arrested in summer drink/drug driving campaign

102 drivers were arrested during Essex Police’s 2015 summer anti-drink and drug driving campaign which ran throughout June.

Police officers took a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to drivers who put lives at risk by getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

As well as breathalysing drivers, officers used new drug testing kits to detect illegal drugs including cannabis and cocaine. It was the first time the kits have been used as part of an anti-drink and drug driving campaign since the introduction of new legislation in March this year.

1,148 drivers were breathalysed and 92 were found to be driving over the legal alcohol limit or refused or failed to provide a sample. 26 drivers were tested for drugs and 10 were found to be driving under the influence of illegal drugs.

By comparison, during the 2014 summer campaign, 1,577 drivers were breathalysed and 93 were arrested on suspicion of being over the legal alcohol limit or refusing or failing to provide a sample.

Adam Pipe, Essex Police casualty reduction manager, said: “It is always very disappointing to see that a number of drivers consider themselves to be above the law and continue to put the lives of other innocent road users at risk by getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

“The summer campaign may have come to an end but that doesn’t mean our efforts to take irresponsible drivers off the county’s roads will. We will continue to take a zero tolerance approach to people who drive under the influence.

“Drink and drug driving kill and with the introduction of new drug-testing kits we are better equipped than ever to crack down on selfish drivers.

“That said, we need the public to do their bit and speak up about people who regularly choose to get behind the wheel drunk or high on drugs. We’re asking them to take responsibility and call us on 101 at any time of day or night. If you would rather not speak to police, please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No one will have to know you called and you won’t have to give your name. Information will be fed to my team and I can reassure residents that it will be acted upon.

“Please don’t forgot that you need to dial 999 in an emergency if you know someone is drunk and see them getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.”

10 July 2015