Officers have increased their presence on Warwickshire’s roads to coincide with the football World Cup and lead up to Christmas in order to target and catch drink and drug drivers.
All drivers who are involved in a collision will also be asked to provide a roadside breath test and drug swipe.
As part of the drink drug drive enforcement activities, officers are encouraging the public to report the details of suspected drink or drug drivers to them by calling 101 or in an emergency 999.
As a further deterrent Warwickshire Police will be publicising the details of all arrests and charges from 21 November up to and including 1 January 2023 including those detailed below.
Inspector Jem Mountford said “If you are going out drinking with your friends to a Christmas party or to enjoy the World Cup, make sure you plan ahead and agree a nominated driver or pre book a taxi home.
“Drinking and driving is not worth the risk to your job, life and reputation as there is a high risk of being stopped and arrested with an increased police presence on the roads to target and catch drink and drug drivers.”
The penalties for drink and drug driving are wide ranging and if tests find you are over the limit you are likely to be charged and given a court date where you are likely to lose your driving licence, be imprisoned and face a fine. The true cost to drivers and families who lose loved ones is much greater.
Sentences have increased recently and if you cause death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs you could be sentenced to 14 years with a minimum two year driving ban and extended retest.
These sentences reflect the seriousness of drink and drug driving and the far-reaching consequences for the victim’s family who will never get their loved one back.
During the operation, officers will also be referring suspected drink and drug drivers to support services in Warwickshire for help and support. If you are addicted to drink or drugs, you can also self refer.
Officers have made the following arrests and charges since the operation started on Monday 21 November:-
Police arrested a 52 year old man from Bedworth on suspicion of drink driving and assault after they were called to an incident in the early hours of 24 November and arrested the man on suspicion of drink driving in New Common Road, Bedworth when he failed a roadside breath test. He is currently in police custody awaiting questioning.
A 39 year old man from Rugby was arrested at 10.17 hours on 23 November in King Edward Road, Rugby after officers were called to reports of a collision. The 39 year old was later charged with drink driving and driving without a licence and is due to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 13 January 2023.
A 51 year old man from Wellesbourne was arrested at 1400 hours on 22 November in Newbold Place, Wellesbourne following a minor injury road traffic collision. On officer arrival he failed a roadside breath test and was later charged with drink driving and driving without a licence. He is due to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 13 January 2023.
A 33 year old woman from Coventry was arrested at 21.30 hours on 22 November in Vicarage Street, outside Nuneaton Police Station after officers stopped the vehicle to check its MOT status. The driver failed a roadside drugs test and was arrested. She was later Released Under Investigation pending further enquiries.
Officers arrested a 79 year old man from Bedworth on suspicion of drink driving and failing to stop when they were called to a collision where a vehicle had collided with numerous vehicles in Acacia Crescent, Bedworth at 00.50 hours on 21 November. He failed a roadside breath test and was later charged to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 13 January 2023.
A 41 year old man from Henley-in-Arden was arrested at 19.17 hours on 20 November on suspicion of drink driving after his vehicle was in collision with a tree near Little Alne, Alcester. He failed a roadside breath test and was later charged to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 13 January 2023.
Officers stopped a white VW Golf at 23.22hours on 20 November on Salford Road Bidford upon Avon, concerned about the manner of driving. The driver, a 51 year old man from Weston-Super-Mare failed a road side breath test and was charged with drink driving to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 13 January 2023.
Alongside operational activity, Warwickshire Police will be sharing awareness campaigns including the THINK Pint Block campaign asking mates not to let a mate drink drive and a new behavioural change campaign developed by Surrey Police and Sussex Police that challenges people not to be a bystander to drink driving.
You can follow the campaign on social media @WarksRoadSafety (Twitter) and WarwickshireRoadSafety (Facebook)