Merseyside Police said those numbers are expected to rise in the coming days
Operation Limit is a national campaign aimed at preventing drug and drink drivers from endangering others(Image: RYAN BIRCHALL)
Hundreds of people across the region have been booked for drink and drug related driving offences during this year’s festive period. Merseyside Police arrested 434 people over the Christmas holidays – including 10 on Christmas Day.
The force vowed to relentlessly pursue drink and drug drivers across the region as part of Operation Limit, a national campaign aimed at preventing drug and drink drivers from endangering others amid Christmas and New Year celebrations. On Christmas Day alone, four people were arrested on suspicion of drug driving and six were arrested on suspicion of drink driving.
Sergeant Kyle Sayers, force lead for Operation Limit, said: “Unfortunately, we expect these numbers to rise again in the coming days as people celebrate.
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“People driving home on the morning of New Year’s Day is a particular source of concern for us. It’s not only possible but highly likely that if someone was drinking heavily the night before, they will still be over the limit the morning after. That’s why it’s important that our Operation Limit work continues into the new year, and why we expect cases to rise.”
Last year, Operation Limit saw roadside drug and alcohol tests ramped up in Merseyside as police aimed to crack down on ‘morning after’ drivers. On average, it takes around one hour for the body to process a single unit of alcohol – which means someone could still be over the legal limit the morning after a night out.
Of the drivers arrested this year, 106 were for drink driving related offences, 318 were drug driving related offences, and 10 failed to comply with testing.
Sgt Sayers said: “Besides the obvious, awful, risk of killing or seriously injuring someone if you’re intoxicated behind the wheel, you can face up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine and a one-year driving ban. If your job depends on you being able to drive you can expect to potentially lose your job and face all the ramifications associated with losing your income. Once you regain your licence your car insurance costs will increase massively to the point where you may not even be able to afford to drive. Leave the keys at home.”
Merseyside Police are urging anyone who suspects that someone may be driving under the influence to call 999.