More than 150 people were arrested on suspicion of serious driving offences in Staffordshire during December. Police carried out 1,544 roadside tests in the county as part of intensified efforts to prevent deaths caused by drink and drug driving.
Of those arrested, 78 were held for blowing a positive roadside breath test. A further 53 motorists were held on suspicion of drug driving offences.
Ten people were arrested for failing to provide a roadside breath test, and others were held on suspicion of being drunk while in charge of a vehicle. The month-long operation, named Operation Limit, was first introduced in 2022 after national statistics revealed 467 collisions were caused by drink or drug driving on UK roads in December of that year.
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A total of 422 collisions were caused by drink or driving the following year. Chief Insp Scott McGrath, head of the Road Crime Team at Staffordshire Police, said: “Through Operation Limit, our officers have been working hard each and every day to take proactive action against those putting other people at risk on our roads.
“Collisions caused by drug or drink driving are horrific events that can devastate families. Those who get behind the wheel under the influence and cause serious injury or death will struggle to find any justification for their actions when they come face to face with a victim’s loved ones, or their own family members, at court.
“An operation isn’t just for Christmas, though. Our efforts to make sure people are safe behind the wheel in Staffordshire continue 24/7, 365 days a year.”
Since the Road Crime Team was introduced on October 1, officers have arrested 211 people suspected of driving offences and seized more than 450 vehicles and criminal assets worth in excess of £1.7million.