Police worry World Cup and strikes could see more drink and drug drivers
Gloucestershire Constabulary are launching their festive campaign to make people think twice before driving
Last updated 1st Dec 2022
Gloucestershire Constabulary says Christmas parties, the World Cup and train strikes bring a unique threat to this year's festive season.
Launching their seasonal drink driving campaign, Roads Policing Unit's Sergeant Gareth Galdwin says " with not just the drinking that takes place at Christmas parties, you then have the World Cup.
"Then to mix in with that you've got the train strikes, which will mean that the transport available, isn't there necessarily.
"So, I'm urging people to consider taxis or friends as a lift.
"Or if you are going to drive, just don't drink."
Throughout December, officers will be carrying out stops on speeding drivers, where they'll be tested to see if they are under the influence of drink or drugs.
Last year's operation saw 95 people arrested, which was down from 2020 when 130 were arrested on suspicion of drink/drug driving offences.
"Worst region in the UK for driving under the influence."
Earlier this year, Gloucestershire recorded the highest arrests for driving under the influence in the UK. By July, the Constabulary arrested more than 400 drink/drug drivers and noted 22 incidents that caused a serious or fatal injury.
At the time Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson described this as an overwhelming positive, saying "higher crime figures can be attributed to all manner of positive things: recruitment of more police; more victims feeling confident to report their crimes; more intelligence from victims being fed into the Constabulary; police focus on crime hotspots; and improvements to crime recording procedures."
Adding, "It could be because a driver who drinks or takes drugs in Gloucestershire, is just more likely to be caught."
Gloucestershire Constabulary's Christmas Drink Driving campaign will run throughout the Christmas period and into the New Year, asking drivers to just stop and THINK!