Leicestershire Police Winter Drug Drive campaign sees more than 100 arrests
The force says 'far too many people have made the wrong choice'
With the Christmas weekend brings alongside it a number of days of festivities - but across our region, the police say far too many people are making the wrong choice when it comes to drink and drug driving.
It's as Leicestershire Police have released the latest stats of their Winter Drug Drive campaign.
To-date, they have arrested 90 drink and 24 drug drivers, along with 6 who failed to provide, and including 26 following a roadside collision.
It's not all been in the cities, either, with drivers also being detained in rural towns and villages around the region.
A total of 67 arrests have been made in Leicester city (48 drink, 14 drug and 5 fails), and those who have been stopped include 104 male and 16 females ranging in age from 16 to 74.
The law on drink and drug driving set out the penalties if you are found to be found under the influence - and it doesn't apply just over the festive period, but all year.
The consequences of drink drug driving may include:
- A minimum 12 month driving ban
- A criminal record
- A hefty fine
- Up to six months in prison
- An endorsement on your driving licence for 11 years
Additional consequences may include:
- Higher car insurance costs
- A criminal record
- Job loss and employment issues
- A loss of independence
- Difficulty travelling to other countries e.g. US and Australia
Jonathan Clarkson, spokesperson for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Road Safety Partnership said, “Far too many people have made the wrong choice and chosen to get behind the wheel when they were quite clearly unfit to do so and now face the prospect of a criminal conviction.
“If you see someone who appears to be a drink or drug driver enter a vehicle to drive away, make a note of the registration plate and the direction of travel and call your local police on 101 or make a make a free and anonymous call to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.”
This year’s campaign was launched earlier to coincide with the World Cup and will end on 1st January, however, Police patrols will continue to arrest those drivers who choose to put themselves and the lives of other innocent people at risk.