Officers stopped almost 100,000 vehicles during its Christmas drink and drug-driving crackdown, with a 3.9% year-on-year increase in arrests, reports the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).

In the lead up to and throughout Christmas police forces across the country took part in annual operational activity to stop people from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Running from December 1, 2017, to January 1, 2018, every police force in England and Wales targeted drink and drug-driving in areas where they are more commonplace and particularly around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

In line with previous operations, there was a continued trend in the rise of drug driving tests and a rise in the number of arrests.

However, the intelligence-led approach saw fewer vehicles stopped (4.7% decrease) but a 3.9% increase in the numbers of arrests (5,922) compared to the December 2016 campaign (5,698).

Officers stopped over 98,000 vehicles and administered over 91,000 breath tests during December 2017.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for roads policing, Chief Constable Anthony Bangham, said: “Drink and drug driving effects every part of the country so it was really important that all 44 police forces took part in this operational activity. This is part of our commitment to enforcing the law which says that if you drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs you can have an unlimited fine, disqualification from driving, and more than a decade in prison.

"This year's campaign used more intelligence led, targeted stops which resulted in slightly fewer vehicle stops than Christmas 2016 and a nearly per cent increase in arrests. Sadly this shows the high number of people who still get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs, which is a real concern.

"Despite forces sharing heart wrenching tales of local families who face Christmas without loved ones because of drink or drug driving, the percentage of breath tests taken following a collision that were positive, refused or failed remained the same as in 2016 (9.2 per cent) - a reminder that it is never worth the risk to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs."

RESULTS

 

December 2017

December 2016

Total number of vehicles stopped

 98,234

103,085

Total breath tests administered

91,466

94,940

Total of those that were positive, refused or failed

5,922

5,698

% of total tested that were positive, failed or refused

6.5%

 6%

 

 

 

Total breath tests administered NOT involving collisions

58,552

69,071

Total of those that were positive, refused or failed

3,507

 3,688

% of total tested that were positive, failed or refused

6.0%

5.3%

 

 

 

Total breath tests administered FOLLOWING collisions

17,138

18,978

Total of those that were positive, refused or failed

1,575

 1,752

% of total tested that were positive, failed or refused

9.2%

9.2%

 

 

 

Total number of breath tests administered to UNDER 25s

15,439

18,322

Total of those that were positive, refused or failed

1,250

 1,128

% of total tested that were positive, failed or refused

8.1%

 6.2%

 

 

 

Total number of breath tests administered to 25 YEARS AND OVER

56,975

 66,085

Total of those that were positive, refused or failed

3,809

 3,526

% of total tested that were positive, failed or refused

6.7%

 5.3%

 

 

 

Total number of Drug FIELD IMPAIRMENT TESTS conducted

566

 

Total of those that resulted in a Section 4 arrest

176

 

% of total tested that resulted in a Section 4 arrest

31.1%

 

Total number of Drug screening devices administered

3885

2642

Total number of positive Drug screening device tests

1678

1279

% of total tested that were positive

43.2%

 48.4%

Total number of Drug screening devices administered following a collision

540

388

Total number of positive Drug screening device tests following a collision

109

105

% of total tested that were positive

20.2%

 27%

 

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