More than 30 people have been arrested in the first two weeks of our Christmas drink and drug drive campaign.
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Officers have been patrolling across the Derbyshire area, making stops and speaking to a number of drivers on the roads.
Between Monday 21 November and Sunday 4 December officers found 36 drivers who tested positive for alcohol and 11 who tested positive for drugs.
The highest breath test reading showed 124 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35.
A total of 26 of the arrests were in relation to collisions on the county’s roads.
Our Don’t Get Wrecked Christmas drink drive campaign was launched on Thursday 1 December with a short yet harrowing video called Driving Home for Christmas, aims to raise awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence and how such a decision can shatter many people’s lives.
It was timed to sit alongside a national policing operation known as Op Limit, where all police forces in England and Wales are increasing their presence on the roads to target drink and drug drivers as the men’s World Cup gets underway and during the lead up to Christmas.
A short film showing the harrowing impact of drink and drug-driving was released to mark the start of a county-wide road safety campaign.
Chief Inspector David Nichols, who leads our Roads Policing Unit, said: “We’re not here to stop people from having fun, or to make journeys more difficult. This is about making sure that everyone gets home safely, and to try and avoid giving someone that devastating news that their mum, dad, or loved one will never be coming home.
“Most people know just how dangerous it is to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs. It’s something we regularly share the message on but sadly some still choose to take the risk. Don’t be one of those drivers.”
A 34-year-old woman from Chesterfield has been charged with drink driving following a collision in Newbold on Saturday 3 December. She is due to appear at Chesterfield Justice Centre later this month.
In Shirebrook, a 45-year-old man has been charged with drink driving following a collision in Shirebrook on Sunday 4 December. He is also due to appear at Chesterfield Justice Centre later this month.
Officers in Bretby stopped a 47-year-old woman from Long Eaton following reports of erratic driving on Monday 5 December. She has been charged with drink driving and is due to appear at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court later this month.
Ch. Insp Nichols added: “We won’t be taking a backseat on this campaign. Officers will be continuing enforcement activity throughout the festive period.
“Plan ahead and book a taxi, appoint a designated driver, or take a walk. Think of the consequences before drink or drug driving. Remember a crash or a conviction could destroy others’ lives, as well as your own.”
You can make a difference to your community by actively reporting drink or drug driving.
If the crime is taking place at the time, please call us on 999.
If you have details of a driver who regularly drives unsafely or it is non-urgent, please contact us via any of the below methods:
- Facebook – send us a private message to our Facebook page
- Twitter – direct message our contact centre via @DerPolContact
- Website – We have several crime reporting tools on our website or use our online contact form
- Phone – call us on 101
You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website
