ALMOST 150 people have been arrested on suspicion for drink driving since the start of December within West Mercia and Warwickshire, it has been announced.
The alarming figure was revealed as part of a reminder from West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police to drivers of the dangers during the run up to Christmas and New Year.
Additionally, a further 98 people have been arrested on suspicion of committing drug driving offences.
Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police are both supporting the month-long winter drink and drug drive campaign (which started December 1) with enforcement currently taking place across the region.
Over the past three years, 16 people were killed and 185 seriously injured in Warwickshire and West Mercia following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor.
Superintendent Daryn Elton for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police said: “It’s encouraging that most motorists that have been stopped during the course of the campaign have been under the drink drive limit and we’d like to thank those people that have co-operated with roadside checks that have been taking place.
“However, from the results seen so far, there are obviously still people out there who feel they can gamble with drinking and driving, think they know how much the limit is or simply just don’t care or think they are not going to be caught.
“The simple fact is there is only one way of being sure that you are safe to drive and that is not to drink at all. Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive.
“We would ask people to consider other options when out drinking over Christmas: public transport, taxis and using designated drivers are easy to arrange – drinking and driving simply isn’t worth the risk.”
The consequences of being caught under the influence is a minimum £5000 fine and an automatic driving ban.
