Almost 50 arrests made as part of Wiltshire Police Christmas campaign
The Force are cracking down on drink and drug driving this month
Last updated 19th Dec 2023
Just 19 days into their annual Christmas drink and drug driving campaign, Wiltshire Police have already made almost 50 arrests.
The Force launched their campaign at the start of December, saying 'don't risk it' and that there would be increased patrols around the county.
The campaign runs for the whole month of December, with officers carrying out vehicle checks early in the morning and late at night. They're targeting individuals who appear over the limit or under the influence of illegal drugs.
Last year 112 drivers were stopped by officers on suspicion of drink/drug driving offences.
And yet the advice of not risking it didn't reach one van driver who was stopped on the M4 this morning (19/12).
Roads Policing Unit officers stopped the driver, suspecting the van to be overloaded. Further checks revealed the vehicle was uninsured and a roadside drug wipe saw the driver test positive for cannabis.
The driver was arrested and taken into custody.
Sergeant Neil Bott said they'd found further issues with the van:
“It also had multiple lighting defects and when officers stopped the vehicle they could smell cannabis immediately.
"The roads in Wiltshire are wet this morning, and to be driving a vehicle in such poor condition, with no insurance and under the influence of drugs is totally unacceptable and extremely dangerous.”
Acting Inspector Will Ayres said:
“Officers have been working hard to keep our roads as safe as possible over the festive period, when more people are out and about at Christmas parties perhaps consuming more alcohol than they normally would and then failing to plan their journey home in advance.
“Our message to these people is please don’t risk it – getting behind the wheel of your car having consumed alcohol or illegal drugs puts your life and the lives of other road users at risk. Please plan your journey home in advance if you know you are going to be drinking.”