Police issue warning following a number of drink/drug drive arrests last weekend including in Flintshire

North Wales Police’ Roads Policing Unit are once again issuing a warning to the motoring public that they will crack down on those caught driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs following several arrests over the weekend.

Between Friday afternoon and Sunday evening officers carried out nine arrests and one man has already been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and disqualified from driving.

Arrests were carried out in Broughton, Deeside, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, Prestatyn, Ruabon and Brynteg on Anglesey.

One of the arrests involved a 41-year-old man who was arrested in Ruabon shortly before 11pm on Saturday.

A concerned member of the public had contacted North Wales Police after he had been witnessed driving all over the road.

Officers later found him where he was arrested after failing the roadside breath test.

He was subsequently charged and remanded to appear before Mold Magistrates Court on Monday 26th where he was disqualified from driving for 14 months, fined £240 with £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Sergeant Meurig Jones from the Force’s Roads Policing Unit said: “Despite our repeated warnings regarding the dangers of drink and drug driving, 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.

“Our Christmas Anti Drink and Drug Drive Campaign is about to get underway where we will continue in our efforts to change driver behaviour in order to make our roads safer.

He added: “Some of those arrested on suspicion of drug driving now have an anxious wait for the test results.

If convicted of drug driving they could face being disqualified from driving, a fine, a prison sentence and a criminal record. A drug drive conviction also means greater insurance costs and the possibility of being unable to travel to countries such as the USA.

“People need to realise the consequences of their actions. Only recently we were contacted by a convicted drug driver who asked us to remove a press release from our Facebook page as they said prospective employers were carrying out checks and refusing to employ them.

This is reality and a drink or drug driving conviction can be devastating, with significant criminal, personal, social and employment consequences.

“Driving with excess alcohol or under the influence of drugs is not just a criminal offence but also completely unacceptable which puts lives at risk. We will continue to target those breaking the law as part of daily policing. Please heed the warning.”

If you have information relating to someone you think is driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please contact North Wales Police on 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.