Summer Anti Drink And Drug Driving Campaign Continues

A campaign to crackdown on drink driving over the month of June has seen nearly 2,000 breath tests being administered in North Wales in almost a month. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

So far, *1,971 people have been breath tested as part of the All Wales Summer Anti Drink and Drug Driving campaign which launched in North Wales on June 1st. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In just over four weeks, 57 arrests have been made after drivers failed breath tests in roadside stop checks. 30 people also failed the drugs swipe test. The campaign will run until 10th July to coincide with the 2016 UEFA European Championships which takes place in France. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Inspector Alun Davies from North Wales Police’s Roads Policing Unit said: “We announced at the start of this campaign that we would be focusing our efforts to target drink and drug drivers. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Despite that warning, in just over four weeks 57 motorists have been arrested in north Wales following a road side breath test. If convicted, each could be disqualified from driving for at least 12 months, face a heavy fine and many could lose their jobs. 30 drivers have also failed the roadside drugs swipe test. This is clearly unacceptable. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Here in north Wales we run Operation Sodium – a 24/7 365 day a year anti-drink/drug drive campaign that was launched in response to the growing number of people who were being fatally injured on the roads, and in particular the rural roads of North Wales. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“As a consequence of these intelligence-led operations we are seeing a significant fall in collisions involving drink and/or drugs. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“However we are seeing more arrests as a result of our intelligence-led operations, in particular when it comes to those driving under the influence of drugs. People should be aware that we have detailed tactical plans to support Operation Sodium that include targeting specific areas following analysis of intelligence and information given to us by concerned members of the community. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Inspector Davies added: “Officers will continue to work hard to catch those responsible. Drink and drug drivers are a danger to themselves, their passengers and other road users. The campaign will continue, please heed the warning.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you have information relating to someone you think is driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please contact North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999. Alternatively contact can also be made via the live web chat on the North Wales Police website. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​