Police arrest three drivers on Christmas Day for drug driving offences

North Flintshire Neighbourhood Police Team (NPT) has made multiple arrests over the past few days for drug driving offences.

On Christmas Day alone, the team arrested three individuals for drug driving offences.

The recent arrests in North Flintshire included a driver testing positive for cocaine and another for cannabis.

The latter was also found to be driving without insurance, leading to the seizure of their vehicle.

A passenger with the cannabis driver was found in possession of class B drugs and will be dealt with by an out-of-court disposal.

North Flintshire NPT said multiple drug drive arrests on the 22nd of December in the North Flintshire area have so far resulted in one male being charged for failing to provide a specimen while in custody and will appear in court in January.

Others drivers will “now have an anxious new year awaiting results and possible charge,” North Flintshire NPT said on their Facebook page.

The spate of arrests locally comes as part of the broader annual Christmas Anti Drink and Drug Drive Campaign across North Wales.

The campaign, which began on December 1st, has led to over 100 arrests in the region.

Inspector Leigh Evans of the Roads Crime Unit expressed disappointment and concern over the continued incidents of drug driving.

“Getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence of drink or drugs is one of the most selfish acts a driver can do,” said Insp Evans, emphasising the danger posed to both the drivers and others on the road.

The campaign has seen a mix of 45 drink driving arrests and 59 drug driving arrests across the region.

The seriousness of these offences is underscored by statistics, North Flintshire Police said : “For 2014 to 2021, 64% of casualties in collisions where an impairment drug was detected were fatalities.“

“The percentage of the fatalities that were drivers with drugs detected was 91% showing that most fatalities are drug drivers themselves.”

“Most of the other casualties were passengers of the drug driver.”

These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the risks associated with drug and drink driving.

Insp Evans, highlighting the gravity of the situation, pleaded with motorists to think before deciding to drive under the influence.

The police are determined to target those who endanger lives, issuing a stern warning to the public.

A recent survey by the AA Charitable Trust revealed that “I’ve only had one drink” is the most common drink-drive excuse, heard by six out of ten drivers. Other frequently heard excuses include having eaten food to soak up the alcohol or only driving a short distance.

These justifications, however, do not mitigate the potential consequences of driving under the influence.

Drivers in Wales were most likely to justify drink driving with the belief that they “won’t get caught.”

However, the consequences of drink driving can be severe, including imprisonment, unlimited fines, and disqualification from driving.

The North Wales Police encourage anyone suspecting someone of driving under the influence to report it immediately, either through the live chat system or by calling 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers.