Lancashire and Merseyside Police team up in Christmas drink and drug-driving crackdown
The two forces carried out a joint operation in Maghull this morning
Lancashire and Merseyside Police have joined forces for a Christmas drug and drink-driving crackdown.
The neighbouring forces carried out a joint operation at Robin Island in Maghull, with traffic going in both directions subjected to random stop checks to be breathalysed and drug-wiped.
It's as police forces across the country join the national campaign - Operation Limit - to try and prevent drink and drug-driving deaths across the festive period.
In 2023, Merseyside and Lancashire Police made more than 6,600 arrests for drink or drug-driving or impaired driving offences.
In Lancashire, men aged 20-39 make up more than half of all drink and drug-drivers, with many still testing positive from drink or drugs from the night before.
Stuart McIver, Merseyside Roads Policing Chief Inspector, said:
"This December, as well as targeting motorists who drink or take drugs and then drive at night, officers will be carrying out spot checks in the mornings to identify those still over the legal drink drive limit or not fit to drive through taking illegal substances.
"Running a cross-border operation like this is a far more accurate representation of the realities of the problem of drink and drug driving than if we were just to focus on Merseyside. People who choose to drive under the influence don’t just pose a risk to road users in the region where they live. Someone may well be waking up after a Christmas do in Ormskirk, unfit to drive, but still getting behind the wheel and heading off to work in Southport – or vice versa.
"None is the safe amount"
"Alcohol and drugs can remain in your system for longer than you think. You could be over the limit when driving to work the next day, or even with your children on the school run.
"The way alcohol affects you depends on your weight, age, sex, metabolism, the type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking, what you’ve eaten recently… The list goes on and on. There just is no definite way to know whether you’re safe to drive after drinking. None is the only safe amount. Leave the car at home.
"I have no sympathy with anyone who chooses to drink and then drive, or who chooses to take drugs and drive. It’s criminal and it’s unbelievably selfish.
"My officers will be running roadside spot checks like these at all times of the day and night, at all different locations. As we are demonstrating with our Lancs colleagues today, there is no safe time or place to drive under the influence. We’re committed to catching anyone out there who does it."
Head of Specialist Operations at Lancashire Police, Superintendent Hassan Khan, said:
"Everyone on our roads has a responsibility to keep themselves and others safe and we have zero tolerance for those who choose to drive impaired. The risk involved is heightened further by the driving conditions this time of year.
"Reckless, selfish and dangerous behaviour"
"Regardless of how confident you might feel about your ability to drive under the influence, you are risking serious harm or death, and it's never, ever worth it. This is reckless, selfish and dangerous behaviour.
"There is no appropriate time for taking illegal substances and there is no sure method to guarantee how long it takes to put you under the legal limit for consuming alcohol. This is why our officers will be out on the roads, day and night, across the county looking for signs of impairment and stopping motorists at checkpoints doing alcohol and drug screening tests.
“It is important to make appropriate arrangements for travel at the time of taking substances that can impair driving but equally important to think ahead about how this can affect you the following day. Here with our Merseyside colleagues this morning we hope to demonstrate that there is no safe time or place to try to get away with this behaviour. You will be stopped and if you provide a positive test then you will be prosecuted.
"Our message is simple: say no to drink or drug-driving so everyone can stay safe and get home this Christmas. We also ask that if you know anyone who drink or drug drives then I urge you to report it. You may save a life or prevent someone from injury. Friends don’t let friends put themselves in danger."
Clive Grunshaw, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said:
"Drink and drug driving are unacceptable and anyone who selfishly puts other road users' lives at risk should feel the full force of the law.
"Targeted operations like this are a great tool in making our roads safer and deterring drivers from getting behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs.
"Our message to drink and drug drivers is clear – get help or get caught. Don't be the reason for someone else or yourself becoming a casualty on our roads."
Anyone who is caught drink and/or drug-driving face a 12-month driving ban and a fine of up to £5000.
Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell, said:
"Those who choose to get behind the wheel whilst under the influence of drink or drugs, are not only putting themselves at risk, but they are endangering the lives of innocent people and children.
"It is a selfish act that causes devastation to families and heartbreak that will last a lifetime, inflicting damage that can never be undone.
"It only takes seconds to ruin a life on our roads"
"As we approach the festive season, we can expect more parties and social gatherings, so I ask everyone to act with caution and take a minute to think about whether you’re in the right position to drive. It only takes seconds to ruin a life on our roads.
"Nobody wants to be the reason for ripping a family apart at Christmas or find themselves behind bars because they didn’t want to book a taxi or get the bus home.
"This Christmas, think about keeping everyone safe. Speak up to your loved ones if you don’t think they should be driving, look out for one another and help keep our communities and our roads safe. Everyone should make it home to their families."
If no drugs or alcohol are detected at the roadside, but officers still suspect the driver is under the influence, they can be taken into custody for a blood sample.
Both forces test for 17 different controlled substances in every blood sample taken in custody, meaning if a substance isn't detected at the roadside, it can be picked up later.