538 arrested over the festive period for drug and drink driving

are urging motorists to drive safely in 2023 after our annual drink and drug driving campaign came to an end.

Operation Limit, which ran from Monday 21 November 2022 to Monday 2 January 2023, saw officers take a firm approach to taking dangerous drivers off the streets of Merseyside.

Although the campaign is now over for another year, we are still reminding people to be safe if getting behind the wheel and resist the temptation to drive when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Officers from the Matrix Roads Policing Unit and colleagues across the force will continue to take a firm approach in 2023 to drink and drug driving offences.

Superintendent Clare Jenkins said: “Our latest campaign to stop drink and drug driving in Merseyside has now ended, but we will not stop in our efforts to prevent dangerous driving.

“If you do drive under the influence of drink, drugs, or both, you are putting your own safety at risk, the safety of everyone in your vehicle, and the safety of every other road user you come across on your journey.”

We can now reveal that during Op Limit, we arrested 365 people for drug driving and 173 people for drink driving, making it a total of 538 arrests.

Over the six-week period, more than 3,000 vehicles were stopped, around 2,500 breath tests carried out and 761 drug wipes administered.

Op Limit was held not only during Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, but also the FIFA World Cup, when some may have been tempted to drive after enjoying a drink.

Our efforts didn’t slow down during the final stages of Op Limit, with the most arrests (111) made during the final week of the campaign. 

As a result of these arrests, people have been sent to court and handed lengthy driving bans and fines.

We are now asking people to drive responsibly during 2023.

Supt Clare Jenkins added: “I can’t stress enough how dangerous and reckless it is to get behind a wheel of a vehicle while under the influence.

“You are not only endangering your own life, but also the lives of innocent road users. Drinking or taking drugs and then driving should never be mixed. Instead, leave your car keys at home, take a taxi, use a designated non-drinking driver, public transport or stay overnight.

“Think of the consequences before drink or drug driving – a crash or conviction can shatter many lives including your own.”

If you have information about anyone who is driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please contact @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.