Police have launched their annual Christmas drink and drug driving campaign, Operation Holly, targeting motorists who take to the roads impaired and put their own and other people’s lives at risk.
The month-long campaign will see officers from Hampshire Constabulary Joint Roads Policing Unit running educational and enforcement activity across the Isle of Wight and the wider region.
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, is a major contributory factor that will increase the chances of you and others being seriously or fatally injured, in a road traffic collision.
Last year during Op Holly, of the 1,049 breath tests carried out, 67 were positive results and from the 80 drug wipes carried out, 44 were positive.
Sergeant Scott Kerr, Road Safety Sergeant for Hampshire and Thames Valley Police said:
“Every year we run Operation Holly, with increased focus to stop people drink or drug driving. Even the smallest amount of alcohol or drugs in your system can impair your ability to drive and in the most serious cases, it could result in families facing a future without their loved ones.
“This year, with the restrictions imposed by the government as a result of the pandemic, it is important that if you drink at home it is done sensibly and responsibly. In licensed premises such as pubs and restaurants, they serve measured amounts of alcohol.
“However, at home it is unlikely that you measure exactly how much alcohol you pour into a glass.
Article continues below this advertisement “Therefore, it is crucial to think about the morning after. It can take hours for alcohol to leave your system after drinking, so it may still not be safe for you to drive.
“As importantly, some drugs can stay in your system for a considerable amount of time.
“I am urging people to plan only necessary journeys during the festive season and to think about how they are going to get home, and the effects alcohol and drugs will have at the time and the morning after.
“Our message is simple: Don’t drink or drug drive – It’s not worth the risk.
Article continues below this advertisement “If you know of anyone who is drink or drug driving call 999 in an emergency, 101 with information or report via Crimestoppers – thank you.”
Just close the pubs for December.
Alcohol is worse than illegal drugs,causing more harm and deaths…
More unemployed brewery’s go bust and people still drink at home and drive.and it won’t stop drug driving.
The crackdown is welcome but increased police monitoring needs to be all year around. I suspect plenty of drunk and drugged up drivers are getting away with it outside of the Christmas period. As we have seen, only a few are picked up after involvement in a road incident.
Why announce it? ie give people notice so they can avoid it – just do it and cach them unawares
Love this. It always scares the lowlife potheads. Keep it up.