Cumbria Constabulary clamp down on drink and drug drivers

Officers from Cumbria Constabulary are warning drivers under the influence of drink and drugs that they will be targeted as they launch a drink drive campaign.

Research shows that people tend to increase their intake of alcohol in summer as people head to pubs and beer gardens to enjoy the light nights and warmer weather. This can then increase the temptation to drive while under the influence.

To tackle this, and to deter people from driving after they have consumed alcohol or drugs, officers will continue their zero-tolerance approach and will increase their use of breath tests and stop checks during a targeted campaign between June 18th and 30th.

During last year’s Summer Drink Drive Campaign, 63 individuals were arrested between June 1st and 30th, equating to 15 per week or more than two arrests per day.

Twenty of these resulted from breath tests administered following a road traffic collision and the remainder from police intervention.

Historically the most common time frame for alcohol related collisions throughout the summer period is between 8pm and 6am, especially on Saturday and Sunday.

Drink drive arrests peak between 8pm and 6am during the summer months, but in June 2009, police also recorded 11 “Morning After” arrests and 12 “after lunch” arrests, highlighting how long it takes for alcohol to leave the system, and dispelling the myth that motorists can safely get behind the wheel after drinking a glass of wine or pint of lager so long as they’ve eaten plenty of food at lunch time.

Chief Inspector Kevin Greenhow, who is responsible for Cumbria Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Throughout the summer months the incidents of drink driving increase as people go out to enjoy the weather and a few drinks.

“We are not trying to stop people enjoying themselves, we just want drivers to act responsibly.

“If you are going out, nominate a driver who agrees not to drink before you set off and always remember that if you’ve been drinking the previous night you are likely to be over the limit the following morning.

“We are also warning drivers about the consequences of getting caught over the prescribed limit. They will get convicted, will lose their license, and may then find themselves without a job, without an income and without their self respect.

“Drink and drug driving convictions stay on file for up to eleven years, so people need to be aware that there are long term consequences.”