Rise in drink driving offences in Northamptonshire over the festive
Northamptonshire Police have launched their campaign today warning of the dangers of drinking and driving over Christmas.
Northamptonshire Police say drink driving offences over the festive period rose over the past two years.
December 2024 there were 162 arrests made in the Christmas period for drink driving offences in comparison to 153 the previous year. That's a rise of 6%.
They say the number of killed or seriously injured on roads last year compared to the year before also rose slightly - from 271 to 274.
It comes as the force launch their campaign today warning of the dangers of drinking and driving over Christmas.
Inspector Sean Watters from the Roads Policing Team says they want people to enjoy the festive period, but safely:
"We just want people to have a very Merry Christmas, but be sensible.
"Leave the car and the car keys at home. Get a taxi. There are numerous apps, telephone numbers now that you can use to get home safely because we as the police don't want to be taking that long walk up the garden path to tell your loved ones that you're not coming home because you've been involved in a serious accident."
Inspector Watters says alcohol gives people a false sense of confidence. He's urging members of the public who fear someone may be getting behind the wheel drunk, to report to them:
"My best advice would be to let us know. That way we can intercept them and deal with them accordingly and it takes them out of, trying to deal with it themselves. So if you do believe someone's going to be drink driving, let us know. Ring us on 999. We will have, as I say, the dedicated operation that will target that vehicle and make sure no harm comes to anyone."
After calling 999 Inspector Watters says then any dash cam footage can be uploaded to the online tool known as Operation Snap.
Fatal Five
At this time of year the force also want to remind drivers of the Fatal Five:
• Excessive speed - minimum penalty for speeding is a £100 fine and three points added to your licence. If eligible you may be offered an online education course.
• Not wearing a seat belt - if you’re caught travelling in a vehicle without wearing a seat belt you could be given a fixed penalty notice of £100 on the spot. While the driver is responsible for children aged up to 14, those over 14 are responsible for their own actions so if you are not wearing a seat belt as a passenger, you could be fined £100.
• Using a mobile phone - you can get six penalty points on your licence and a £200 fine if you use a hand-held phone when driving.
• Drink/drug driving – you risk up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine and substantial driving ban. However, the costs of a conviction could be up to £70,000 because of fines, solicitors’ fees, increase in the cost of car insurance and potentially losing your job.
• Careless driving - if found guilty of careless driving, you could receive a fixed penalty of £100 and three penalty points on your licence. Or in more serious cases, the matter may go to court, where you could face imprisonment, an unlimited fine, up to nine penalty points, or even disqualification from driving.