Police festive drink & drug drive blitz, Flintshire sees highest number arrests so far

News and Info from Deeside, Flintshire, North Wales

This article is old - Published: Friday, Dec 16th, 2022

Latest figures from North Wales Police show that Flintshire has seen the highest number of arrests so far during the forces festive anti-drink & drug drive campaign.

Overall officers have made 70 arrests across north Wales since the start of the campaign on 1 December.

In Flintshire, 12 drug drive and 5 drink drive arrests have been made.

One of those was a 42-year-old woman from Ellesmere Port who provided a roadside reading of 107, more than 3 times over the legal limit of 35.

She was stopped by officers in Dobshill shortly after 6pm on December 14.

Police have said she was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, however, she refused to provide a further sample of breath whilst in custody.

The woman has been charged with refusing to provide and is set to appear before Mold Magistrates Court on 5 January.

The highest reading provided so far has been 114, a 40-year-old man from Betws-yn-Rhos, Conwy was arrested near Llanfair Talhaiarn shortly after 9pm on December 14 following a road traffic collision.

He has been charged with drink driving and will appear before Llandudno Magistrates Court on January 9.

A police spokesperson said that “all those who were arrested on suspicion of drug driving now have an anxious wait for the results of further tests before a charging decision is made.”

“If convicted of drug driving they could face being disqualified, receive a fine, a prison sentence and a criminal record.”

“Few people also realise that a drug drive conviction also means greater insurance costs and the possibility of being unable to travel to countries such as the USA.”

Sergeant Liam Morris of the Roads Policing Unit said: “Driving whilst under the influence is not only a criminal offence but it is also completely unacceptable and selfish act which puts lives of innocent road users at risk.”

“The consequences are huge, not only does it risk death or serious injury but think about the potential loss of your career, home and family life.

“Despite our repeated warnings regarding the dangers of drink and drug driving, it is disappointing that people are still choosing to risk their own lives and the lives of other road users by taking to the roads whilst under the influence.”

Sgt Morris said: “Drugs affect your mind and body in a variety of ways that mean you can’t drive safely.”

“When your ability to drive is impaired the chances of you being involved in a collision significantly increase.”

“The effects can last for hours or even days. Driving while under the influence of drugs can lead to slower reaction times, poor concentration, confusion, fatigue, being over confident which means you take unnecessary risks and demonstrate erratic behaviour. ”

“All of which attract the attention of patrolling officers who are out looking for these behaviours.”

“We are fully committed to help make the roads safer for all and will continue to target those who wilfully endanger their own lives and the lives of others. Please don’t think the rural nature of the region affords you protection because it does not.

Sgt Morris added: “This weekend and next will see many attend Christmas parties so we are pleading with everyone to make arrangements to get home safely, and to also remind everyone that they could still be over the alcohol limit the morning after a night of drinking.”

“We want everyone to enjoy a safe and happy festive season and so this is one of our most important annual campaigns. Officers are out patrolling in marked and unmarked vehicles, as well as conducting roadside checks to ensure the roads are safe for all.”

If you have information relating to someone you think is driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please report it immediately to police on 101 (or 999 if they are posing imminent danger) or contact Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.

Drug drive arrests by county area up to December 16: