Irresponsible and dangerous drink and drug drivers are to be targeted in a fortnight-long campaign across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the Thames Valley regions.
Officers will be focusing on preventing the destruction and distress caused by collisions involving those under the influence.
Today (Monday) sees the start of this summer’s crackdown where officers from the Roads Policing and Joint Operations Unit will be conducting drink/drug focused operational patrols throughout the day and night across both force areas for the next 2 weeks (27th July – 9th August).
Intelligence-led operations to catch offenders and patrols will be carried out specifically designed to breathalyse, drug wipe and educate drivers.
Drivers involved in a collision will be breathalysed and, if required, drug tested.
Road Safety Sergeant Scott Kerr, said:
“We’re reminding people of the devastating physical and emotional damage drug and drink driving brings to families.
Article continues below this advertisement “Too many people are still taking the risk to drive whilst impaired. These people not only put themselves at risk, but all those who are innocently going about their daily business. We are dedicated to protect all the law abiding road users and prosecute offenders.
“In 2019 there were 17 fatal collisions where drink or drugs were a contributing factor, and so far in 2020 we have arrested 608 people on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“We will be using drug wipes by conducting a roadside drug test if we suspect someone may be impaired by drugs, as well as the ability to breathalyse.
“Receiving a conviction for drink or drug driving ruins lives. If you are caught in control of any motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or drink, means you could face a criminal conviction, possible prison term, driving ban, and could even lose your job. Please remember It’s not worth the risk.”
The public are encouraged to report drink and drug drivers with as much information and detail as possible.
If you know someone who drink or drug drives you can report them on 101 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
If the person is an immediate risk to the public and themselves, please people call 999.
Akin to Police “announcing” they will be outside of Island banks this morning, to prevent bank robberies.
Amount of potential thieves caught? None.
“See, announce the Police, the public perception of crime, is not validated, for we found NO potential thieves within those ‘two weeks’ of announcing we would be highly visible as we stood outside each bank, so clearly, ‘there is no problem here’.
Yes, totally agree. Why announce this much needed exercise? A ‘covert’ 2 weeks will catch more ‘wrong doers’
I expect the ‘reason’ they publicly announce such is then, they KNOW that many ‘would be’ criminals will be ‘clean’ thus limiting the numbers of crimes and arrests.
Then it ‘looks’ to the public that ‘crime is not as bad as they believed.’
The local police to the Police superiors, appear to be doing a good job in keeping crime numbers low, for by giving prior warning it then had ‘stats’ to PROVE that crime is lower than it ‘really’ is.
All paper work shifting to give stats, that can be then thrown at the public who know better, but can’t then dispute these ‘factual stats’.
Great that many of the public are not too bright and can’t see through such actions.
Its not about catching wrong doers its about scaring them into not doing it in the first place.By the time you have caught them they have already been drink / drug driving for however many miles. At least that would be my guess
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I expect the ‘reason’ they publicly announce such is then, they KNOW that many ‘would be’ criminals will be ‘clean’ thus limiting the numbers of crimes and arrests.
Then it ‘looks’ to the public that ‘crime is not as bad as they believed.’ And that the Police MUST be doing a great job.
I thought police always tested for alcohol after a crash. If this is not the case maybe all police should be called Arthur Arthur job.
I know someone who drinks 15 pints and drives daily and is well known for it and has been doing it for years,several people have reported this person to the police and nothing has ever been done and said person continues daily laughs about how they will never be caught.Avoid Newport at 5pm when they are driving around
Don’t bother ringing 101 they never answer !