Drink/Drug Drive campaign continues with almost 50 arrests so far

Wednesday, 20 December 2023 00:00

Nearly 50 drivers have been arrested for drink or drug driving offences in Wiltshire so far this month.

Nineteen days into their annual Christmas Drink/Drug Drive campaign, officers from the Roads Policing Unit as well as neighbourhood officers have made a total of 47 arrests.

Yesterday (19th December), a van driver was stopped by RPU with a suspected overloaded vehicle. Further checks showed the vehicle had no insurance, and a roadside drug wipe was carried out which tested positive for cannabis.

The driver was arrested and taken into custody.

Sgt Neil Bott said: “This vehicle initially came to our attention due to it appearing to be overloaded. It also had multiple lighting defects, and when officers stopped the vehicle they could smell cannabis immediately. The roads were wet, and to be driving a vehicle in such poor condition, with no insurance and under the influence of drugs is totally unacceptable and extremely dangerous.”

The Drink/Drug Drive campaign runs for the entire month of December and sees officers carrying out early morning and late night vehicle checks, targeting individuals who appear over the limit or under the influence of illegal drugs.

A/Insp Will Ayres said: “Officers have been working hard to keep our roads as safe as possible over the festive period when more people are out and about at Christmas parties perhaps consuming more alcohol than they normally would and then failing to plan their journey home in advance.

“Our message to these people is please don’t risk it – getting behind the wheel of your car having consumed alcohol or illegal drugs puts your life and the lives of other road users at risk. Please plan your journey home in advance if you know you are going to be drinking.”