IN the first week of December, 62 drink and drug drivers have been arrested across Essex.
The arrests come as part of enforcement action throughout December to tackle drink driving and to take dangerous drivers off the road in an effort to reduce the number of killed and seriously injured collisions in Essex
Almost half of those arrests (30) took place between Friday 6 and Sunday 8 December. The three-day period accounted for 15 drink drivers, 13 drug drivers and 2 motorists for failing to provide a specimen. In addition, 14 drink drivers, 15 drug drivers and 3 motorists who failed to provide a specimen were arrested in the preceding four days.
Inspector Emma Patterson, who leads the Roads Policing Unit’s Christmas drink drive campaign, said: “Each year we run a campaign to highlight the risks linked to drink driving through which we hope to educate the public that it’s unacceptable to drink drive – and it’s against the law.
“It’s disappointing to see that last week, people were getting behind the wheel and putting themselves and other road users at risk after consuming alcohol.
“You may think you are safe to drive, you’re not. That’s why we take a zero-tolerance approach to it all.
“Alcohol stays in your system longer than you think and can affect your judgement of situations and slow your reactions to hazards. It’s exactly the reason why you shouldn’t drink drive.”
This year our Roads Policing Unit officers are supporting the NPCC’s national drink drive campaign and taking appropriate enforcement action throughout the month of December.
They are also supporting the Safer Essex Roads Partnership’s Be a #FestiveFriend campaign which asks people to pre-plan how they’re getting home, before they head off to the pub.
It’s a great piece of advice, so simple and very achievable.
The roads policing officer added: “We know mates will always look after each other. That’s why we’re saying – plan how you’re getting home after your night out, look after each other and Be a #FestiveFriend.”
