Dozens arrested in first week of Sussex drink and drug-drive crackdown
Officers will be carrying out extra patrols until September 1st
50 arrests have been made by officers in the first week of a clampdown on drink and drug-drivers in Sussex.
Sussex Police has launched its summer crackdown in a bid to reduce deaths and serious injuries stemming from collisions related to alcohol or drug consumption.
28 of the arrests made were for offences related to drug-driving and 22 for drink-driving offences.
Officers will be carrying out extra vehicle stops and checks between August 1st and September 1st in order to prevent and detect criminals, and to warn drivers not to take the risk in the first place.
Last year, Sussex Police made 257 arrests as part of its winter crackdown. Of these, 137 arrests were for drug-driving, 111 were for drink-driving, and nine were for both drink and drug-driving.
Chief Constable Jo Shiner said:
“There is no excuse for being behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming drugs or alcohol.
“The fact we made 257 arrests and stopped more than 6,000 motorists in our last campaign, demonstrates our officers’ determination to catch offenders and keep our roads safe.”
“It is the responsibility of every road user to make sure they abide by the law and that they are not putting themselves or other road users at risk.
Officers have already been conducting roadside checks on drivers and in the first week made 50 arrests; where arrests 28 were for offences relating to drug-driving and 22 were for offences relating to drink-driving.
Consuming alcohol or taking drugs is one of the most common causes of collisions which result in someone being killed or seriously injured (KSI collisions) on the county's roads.
So from August 1 to September 1, Sussex and Surrey Police are carrying out extra checks and enforcement on motorists in order to prevent and detect criminals, and to warn drivers not to take the risk in the first place.
Chief Inspector Michael Hodder, of the Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said:
“It cannot be said enough how much drink and drug-driving can ruin lives.
“Drink-driving is something that is becoming more socially unacceptable but unfortunately, we are seeing more and more drug-driving on our roads.
“This is something we are working hard to tackle, and these dedicated campaigns are crucial in raising awareness, deterring would-be offenders, and keeping as many people as possible safe on the roads.
“As always, we will deal extremely robustly with these offenders through a combination of measures including education and enforcement, with a special emphasis on reducing casualty rates of vulnerable users like motorcyclists and young drivers.
“Technology now allows us to test drivers at the roadside there and then for drugs, which allows us to be more effective in how we tackle drug driving and means that drivers who are breaking the law, will be caught.
“Alcohol and drugs affect everyone differently, so do the right thing, don’t risk it and arrange alternative ways home if you are planning on going out.”