Leicestershire Police says the number of drink or drug driving offences must go down
It's as they are launching a campaign to remind motorists about the dangers of driving under the influence
Last updated 29th Nov 2024
Ahead of the Christmas party season, Leicestershire Police who also cover Rutland are urging motorists not to drive under the influence or drugs or alcohol.
It's part of their winter 2024 Drink Drug Drive campaign.
Police will have spotters out on the roads as well as using breathalysers to test for alcohol.
We are sadly not seeing a huge decrease in the numbers
In 2022, an estimated 1,920 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions on UK roads where drink drug driving was a factor.
Following a similar campaign last winter, 102 drivers will have started 2024 with a drink drug drive conviction.
Year on year we have serious and fatal collisions
Detective Inspector Steve Kilsby, Head of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Leicestershire Police, said:
"It's a huge issue. Year on year we have serious and fatal collisions that happen."
“Every year we put the same message out and we are sadly not seeing a huge decrease in the numbers."
"There are many factors around that. I think it's possibly around drug driving being an issue more perhaps more than drink."
"Some of the younger generation could be tempted to use drugs. Cannabis can be detected in your system, and people might not think it affects your driving, but it does."
"I think it's about making sure that people realise the impact."
"We pick up the pieces and the investigation on this, and we're dealing with those grieving families who have lost a loved one through the actions of someone who quite often has an impairment of some sort. So, it's really important."