More drink-drivers will be caught before the end of year in Wiltshire
Covid-19 restrictions doesn't mean it's quieter for Roads Police in the county and Hampshire
Last updated 29th Dec 2020
Wiltshire and Hampshire Police are continuing routine breath tests and drug-wipes on drivers who've been stopped by officers throughout December, and into the new year.
The Wiltshire force has also been urging you to report anyone you suspect of drink and drug driving.
The aim is to reduce the number of collisions and deaths that happen on the roads at this time of the year.
Operations have increased across both counties with a focus on intelligence-led traffic stops. Roads policing officers will be also be doing more patrols.
MESSAGE CHANGED DUE TO COVID-19
Inspector Mark Freeman, Head of Roads Policing in Wiltshire, told Greatest Hits Radio:
"They are that much more likely to have an accident or a collision than someone who hasn't been drink driving. It is a recipe for disaster."
"Looking at what's happened this year, a lot of loved ones have been lost due to the pandemic, the last thing we want is to have more people lost due to someone's careless actions on the road."
"Clearly in Wiltshire we're in Tier 2 (restrictions) which means you can't just go out drinking, you've got to go out and have a meal and drink, so that might have an impact on it."
"I would imagine that once we get into the new year, when we've got into January, it'll slow down a little bit, but certainly there is a risk around drink driving right through until New Year's Eve."
If you know someone who regularly drink or drug drives, then call 101 and give as much information as possible, including the driver’s details or description, their car registration and a time or day that they always do it.
It's anticipated that Police will arrest more drink-drivers in Wiltshire and Hampshire before the end of the year.
The run-up to Christmas has already been busy, and enforcement campaigns for both forces continue into January.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions on family gatherings, the way people drink and socialise has changed over the festive period.
ARRESTS MADE ALREADY
Numerous arrests have already been made across Wiltshire for drink and drug driving.
One of these was a driver in Amesbury who was found at the wheel, on 18th December, to be more than three times the legal drink drive limit.
Another was a drunk 36 year old woman from Salisbury was found driving the wrong way down Rollestone Street, a one way road, in the early hours of Thursday 3rd December.
Officers also stopped a man driving in Tidworth. The 37 year old has was charged with driving while over the legal alcohol limit, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.
WARNING TO HAMPSHIRE DRIVERS
Like all other forces across the country, Hampshire Police have launched their Christmas campaign too.
Operation Holly will see officers from the county's force and Thames Valley Police's Roads Policing Unit run enforcement and educational activity.
During the 2019 campaign, out of 1,049 breath tests carried out in Hampshire, 67 were positive. 44 out of 80 drugs wipes were also positive.
Sergeant Scott Kerr, Road Safety Sergeant for Hampshire and Thames Valley Police said:
"Every year we run Operation Holly, with increased focus to stop people drink or drug driving. Even the smallest amount of alcohol or drugs in your system can impair your ability to drive and in the most serious cases, it could result in families facing a future without their loved ones."
"This year, with the restrictions imposed by the government as a result of the pandemic, it is important that if you drink at home it is done sensibly and responsibly. In licensed premises such as pubs and restaurants, they serve measured amounts of alcohol."
"However, at home it is unlikely that you measure exactly how much alcohol you pour into a glass. Therefore, it is crucial to think about the morning after. It can take hours for alcohol to leave your system after drinking, so it may still not be safe for you to drive."
"...some drugs can stay in your system for a considerable amount of time."