253 Arrested for Drug and Drink Driving in Merseyside over 16 days

With Christmas little more than a week away our Roads Policing officers have been out on the roads of Merseyside supporting Operation Limit, which is focused on tackling drink and drug driving across the festive period.

We want everyone to have a safe Christmas and although the force deploys roadside drug wipes and breathalysers all year round, in the weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year we step our activity up a gear with increased roadside stops and random drug and alcohol testing, to keep the people of Merseyside safe on our roads.

During the first half of the operation, the force has arrested 172 drivers for offences related to drug driving, 53 for offences related to drink driving, and 28 for failing to provide a sample.

Those caught drug and drink driving can expect to receive a 12-month driving ban, an unlimited fine and potentially a 6-month prison sentence.

Stuart McIver, Roads Policing Chief Inspector, said “It’s evident from these figures how proactive the Roads Policing teams have been during the first few weeks of Operation Limit – an increase in the number of people arrested of more than seven percent – and I’ve instructed them to keep up those levels of proactivity in the next few weeks.

“We know that these stops will cause some disruption, but please be patient with us. By carrying out these stops we hope that fewer people will be less inclined to drink or drug drive on the streets of Merseyside, which hopefully then results in fewer people being killed or injured on our roads.

“Even though proportionately to the population of Merseyside these are only very small numbers, it’s unbelievable that 253 people thought it was acceptable to get behind the wheel when they were unfit to drive through alcohol or drugs. People need to think before they get behind the wheel of the potential consequences. Get a bus, a taxi, a lift or walk if you have to, but do not get behind the wheel intoxicated. You’re putting innocent people at risk.

“This year we’re taking the step of releasing some of our officers’ bodyworn video on our social media, because I think’s hard for normal people to believe that some people really do drive like this. But we need the public to understand it does happen, and to be vigilant and report to us if they think someone is getting behind the wheel intoxicated.”

Paul Fletcher, Merseyside Road Safety Partnership, said: “Typically we see an increase in drink driving over the festive period and unfortunately this year is no different with regular arrests being made for related offences.

“Driving after consuming alcohol or drugs presents a real danger to our communities and without positive action will continue to devastate lives and harm our communities.

“Help us to create a culture where drink or drug driving is not acceptable and is challenged at every level. If you know of someone who drives after consuming drink or drugs tell us and help us prevent loss of life on our roads. “

Anyone who believes someone is driving under the influence or either drugs or alcohol is encouraged to call 999, or, if the crime is not actively in progress, to report via the link below:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=ol6V811MJ06rjfb1d_oSLRsHYpxM-rJFlgtkgh2uDndUQlE5WVJQTkhDQllXUlQ3S1NENFBFWkxPRS4u