Drug driving ‘clear focus’ of summer crackdown

Essex Police is stepping up efforts to detect drug drivers after revealing the number of arrests for the offence has more than doubled this year.

Between January and March 2019, there were 470 drug driving arrests in Essex – compared to 224 during the same period in 2018

This has contributed to a 50% rise in the total number of drink and drug driving related arrests during the first three months of 2019.

Launching its summer drink and drug drive campaign, acting chief inspector Sharn Taylor, head of roads policing in Essex, described the ‘big rise’ in drug driving as a ‘real concern’.

ACI Taylor said: “Drug driving arrests outstripped drink driving arrests for the first time ever last November and since then we’ve regularly seen more arrests for it. It is totally unacceptable.

“More officers than ever are trained and equipped with drug wipes meaning if you drug drive we’re even more likely to catch you, arrest you, and get you off the road.

“If get caught drink or drug driving you could lose your licence. You could lose your job as a result and that could have a huge impact on you and your family.

“Simply, don’t do it. Our message this summer is drive safe, drive sober.”

05 June 2019