Over 150 drink and drug drivers arrested in north Wales during Christmas campaign

“I don’t think people are quite grasping the full extent of the danger drink or drug-driving poses”, a senior North Wales Police officer has said. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The comments come after more than 150 people were caught behind the wheel whilst under the influence of drink or drugs during a campaign run by the force at Christmas. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The annual drink and drug driving campaign, which ran from 1 December 2022 to 1 January 2023, saw 67 arrests across the region for drink-driving, with another 90 for drug-driving. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

12 of the drink drive arrests were made following road traffic collisions – with the highest breath test reading at the roadside being 107 (the legal limit is 35). ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Superintendent Simon Barrasford of North Wales Police said: “These campaigns are undertaken to try and raise awareness of the seriousness of driving whilst under the influence, so it is disappointing that so many people are still breaking the law, despite it being publicly deplored and of course, extremely dangerous. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Some have already been to court and have already lost their driving licence as well as fined. For others it will be more serious and they face losing their employment. Some may even be jailed. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Our teams work 24 hours a day, seven days a week and anyone who is considering driving whilst under the influence should know that we will be out and about waiting for them. We will continue to crack down on those who take this unnecessary risk and bring them before the courts. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Supt Barrasford added: “I don’t think people are quite grasping the full extent of the danger drink or drug-driving poses. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Those that do take the risks clearly don’t think about the families of those people who have died at the hands of a driver who is on high on drugs or drunk. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We are here to save lives. Drink and drug driving can, and often does, have catastrophic consequences – which our officers, sadly, have seen first-hand. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We want you to live and that’s why we do what we do, and we will continue in our efforts to take people who drink and drug drive off the roads in 2023 and beyond.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Police take action against drink and drug-drivers every day of the year. Anybody who has concerns about someone they believe to be driving under the influence are asked to contact police on 101 (or 999 if they are posing an imminent danger) or alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​