DRINK and drug drivers will be targeted by Warwickshire Police during the Christmas and new year period as part of a campaign by the National Police Chiefs Council to improve road safety.
Officers are also asking drivers to help the NHS by not putting lives at risk by driving while intoxicated.
Drink was cited as a cause of 98 collisions in the county during 2018 and 2019, resulting in two deaths and many more serious injuries.
And national statistics from the Department for Transport show that in 2018 an estimated 8,680 people were killed or injured when at least one driver was over the drink drive limit.
A police spokesperson said: “If you drive at twice the legal alcohol limit, you are at least 30 times more likely to cause a road collision than a driver who hasn’t been drinking. Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive.
“There is no fool-proof way of drinking and staying under the limit, or of knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely – so the best advice is, don’t drink if you are going to drive.”
While statistics for alcohol have remained constant despite lockdown, drug driving in Warwickshire is on the rise.
For 2019 there were 19 road traffic collisions where illegal or medicinal drugs were cited as a cause, with two fatalities. This is compared to 2018 when drugs were a factor in 10 collisions, with two fatalities.
Between April and September 2020, 68 drivers were arrested for drug driving compared to the same period in 2019 when 59 people were arrested.
The spokesperson added: “Driving while under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous and can affect driving in numerous ways.
“Drug drivers can suffer from slower reaction times, erratic and aggressive behaviour, an inability to concentrate properly, nausea, hallucinations, panic attacks, paranoia, tremors, dizziness and fatigue.”
Warwickshire Police is also warning motorists who drink or drug drive that the chances of being caught are high.
Insp Jem Mountford said: “With Covid-19, the campaign is even more important this year and all front line officers will be using police powers to stop and test drivers for drink and drug driving.
“As well as detecting offenders, officers will be using the opportunity to help educate the public of the dangers of drink and drug driving.
“We will be looking for people at all times of the day and night. Just because you haven’t been out at the pub – drinking at home can still leave you over the limit the next morning and we will certainly be checking drivers then too.”
It is hoped high-visibility policing activity will help increase public reassurance and confidence.
Warwickshire Police will be publicising arrests made during December and January for drink or drug driving as part of their push to change people’s behaviour and reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the county’s roads.
Officers are also asking the public to provide intelligence about anyone they believe may be drink or drug driving in Warwickshire to police by dialling 101. Reports can also be made anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
