Over 1000 cars stopped in Norfolk drink and drug driving campaign
The month-long initiative ran between Friday 1st December until Monday 1st January.
Police in Norfolk stopped 1158 vehicles and made 123 arrests during the annual Christmas campaign which highlights the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.
The month-long initiative ran between Friday 1st December until Monday 1st January, in partnership with a UK-wide operation organised by the National police Chief's Council.
The campaign involved officers carrying out roadside checks throughout the day and night, as well as intelligence-led enforcement activity. Alongside this, social media messaging was used to remind the public there is #NoExcuse when it comes to driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
A total of 1109 breath tests were conducted in Norfolk, alongside 49 drug wipes. Of those tests:
71 people were arrested following a positive breath test
40 people were arrested following a positive drug wipe
12 people were arrested after being found unfit through drink or drugs
Of all the people who failed a test, 77% were male (compared to 76% last year) and 15% were under the age of 25 (compared to 33% last year).
Chief Inspector Vicky McParland, of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team, said: “Despite casualties falling dramatically in the last 50 years, thanks to campaigns such as these, it is evident that they are still necessary.
“Nearly 250 people were arrested for drink and drug driving across Norfolk and Suffolk throughout the campaign - this is 8 people on average every single day. I am incredibly disappointed to see this level of people choosing to put their lives and the lives of other road users at risk.
“Although our Christmas campaign gives us the opportunity to highlight the dangers of drink/drug driving to the public, it is something we enforce every day of the year.
We will continue to work to remove dangerous drivers from Norfolk and Suffolk’s roads. There is #NoExcuse.”