Police crack down on driving under the influence in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

West Mercia Police have teamed up with forces across the country as part of a national campaign.

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Author: Shaunna BurnsPublished 4th Dec 2023

West Mercia Police are welcoming a national police operation which has been launched to remind drivers of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

It's as in the last three years alone, 23 people have died and 154 have been seriously injured across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire where alcohol has been listed as a contributory factor.

A further 12 people have been killed and 68 seriously injured in collisions where drugs have been involved.

Across the three counties West Mercia Police arrested 156 people in the run up to last Christmas for being over the limit while behind the wheel.

The force say the operation is a reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and the consequences that it can lead to.

We spoke to the roads policing minister for Herefordshire, Darren Godsall, he said: "It is extremely frustrating that some motorists inexcusably still drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs."

"There is no full proof way of calculating how much you can drink, and remain under the limit. Or knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely."

"Any amount of alcohol can affect your ability to drive, and there are numerous consequences of driving with it in your system."

"Or drugs in your system, including medication where you go against the advice of GP's or health advisors."

"We welcome national operations such as Op Limit, to support the work that we do, and hope that more people over the Christmas period choose a suitable alternative to alcohol and drugs if they're driving. Please don't do it."

"Enforcement already takes place 24/7, 365 days a year across our whole force area in order to detect those who are willing to take the risk, and to protect other road users."

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