Results of Christmas Drug and Drink Driving Campaign released

The results of the Christmas Drug and Drink Driving Campaign 2014 have shown that 54 drivers were arrested for providing a positive breath test, refusing or failing to provide a test.

This year Wiltshire Police have taken a targeted approach to the operation, using intelligence and information from the public to know where they are most likely to see drink /drug drivers.

As a result the campaign has been very successful. Police covered areas in the county where people were most likely to risk drinking and driving such as certain pubs, clubs or venues with large car parks.

A total of 975 vehicles were stopped and breath tests administered by the police over the duration of the campaign, which ran from the 1st December 2014 to 1st January 2015.

Nine drivers were arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs while driving, five of these arrest were following a road traffic collision.

13 of those arrested were under the age of 25.

Police received reports of 445 collisions over this period and administered 356 breath tests resulting in 17 of the total arrests occurring after collisions. (this is part of the total 975 and not in addition).

Head of Roads Policing Operations, Tri-Force Specialist Operations, Inspector Steve Cox said, “We have taken a different approach this year which has been based on where we believe drivers are taking risks. As a result it would be difficult to make comparisons with previous years’ results but I am confident that we made best use of our resources by using this intelligence led approach.

“The Christmas crackdown has a positive impact taking 54 drivers off our roads who were potentially putting others at risk.

“The best advice we can give to all drivers is to not drink or do drugs at all, whilst or before driving. The penalties are significant and if the worst happened and as a result of drink/drug drive someone died, the driver would be facing a prison sentence. It is just not worth the risk.

“Drivers should not be complacent throughout 2015 as we have teams targeting those drivers who put themselves and others at risk. We also encourage the public to continue to assist us by reporting drivers on the drink/drug hotline via 101.

“I would like to thank the public for their continued vigilance, we will always try to respond to information about irresponsible drivers.”

Anyone wishing to report someone for a driving offence, should contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.