Essex police say don't drink and drive this Xmas
They're urging us to have tough conversations with friends who might try to
Essex Police are warning the public their patrols won't slow up as we enter the new year.
"Our focus, our presence, our activity continues 365 days of the year 24/7"
Adam Pipe's the force's head of roads policing, he's told us: "we are there to make sure the roads remain safe for all road users. This is one of our fatal 5 offences. It's a priority for the force. It's a priority for policing"
They're tackling drink and drug drivers on our roads, and won't be taking a break as we welcome 2024.
Essex Police has more than 700 officers specially trained to conduct drug wipe tests at the side of the road.
In the first ten months of 2023, they arrested over 1000 drink drivers and over 700 drug drivers.
Adam told us they're more determined than ever: "Do you really want to get in that car knowing you're off the limit? There must be people out there who know individuals that regularly take, drink, take drugs and drive, have that conversation about how unacceptable it is.
He's further calling for people to not be afraid having potentially tough conversations: "That we've genuinely got to have as a society. We need to take a really good look at ourselves and have some challenging conversations".