Increase in drink drug drive arrests in December

The year hasn’t started well for the 227 Cheshire drivers arrested for drink or drug driving during.

Between 1 December and 1 January, 140 people were arrested for drink driving, with a further 87 arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of illegal drugs. All 237 people arrested are likely to face lengthy driving bans and large fines.

All roads policing officers across Cheshire are equipped with both alcohol testing kits and drugs wipes which can instantly detect whether a driver is under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs whilst behind the wheel. There were 1,230 breath tests carried out, resulting in 140 arrests, and 123 drug tests leading to 87 arrests.

Superintendent Jo Marshall-Bell, of Cheshire’s road policing unit, said: “There has been a slight increase in arrests over last year and it is astounding to see how many people continue to believe it is acceptable to drive under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Over the campaign period we took a much more focused, intelligence-led, approach, targeting the ‘who, when, where’, which has been borne out in the results.

“Driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs is extremely dangerous; it affects your reaction time, making it harder for you to judge your speed, judge your distance between you and other vehicles and notice potential hazards. All of this means that you are more likely to be involved in a collision.

All of those arrested as part of this operation will now have to face the consequences of their actions, which will have a significant impact on both their personal and professional lives.