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More than 2,000 vehicles were stopped and 160 arrests made by Suffolk Police during crackdown against drink and drug driving




More than 2,000 vehicles were stopped and 160 arrests were made by officers during a crackdown on drink and drug driving.

The #IsYourLicenceWorthIt campaign ran from December 1 until January 1, in conjunction with a UK-wide operation organised by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

The initiative focused on the 'everyday' drink driver, such as the person who spent Saturday night at a pub and drove on Sunday morning, thinking they were fine to drive, but were actually still over the limit, with their ability to assess the road and its risks significantly reduced.

More than 2,000 vehicles were stopped and 160 arrests were made during a police crackdown against drink and drug driving. Picture: iStock
More than 2,000 vehicles were stopped and 160 arrests were made during a police crackdown against drink and drug driving. Picture: iStock

During the period of action, officers in Suffolk stopped a total of 2,366 vehicles, breathalysed 1,986 drivers and conducted 379 drug wipes.

After the tests, 72 people were arrested following a positive breath test or refusing to provide a sample, while 88 people were arrested following a positive drug wipe.

Of the people who failed the test, 84 per cent were male and 21 per cent were under the age of 25 - an increase from 14 per cent in the previous year's campaign.

Chief Inspector Vicky McParland, of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team, said: "160 people in Suffolk decided that they would not only risk their licences but also their lives and the lives of other road users.

"There has been a disappointing increase in the number of young people committing these offences.

“There is a real need to fully understand the consequences of your actions - you could lose your licence, your income, your freedom and ultimately your life."

Tim Passmore, police and crime commissioner for Suffolk, said: “I fully support this approach, particularly over the festive period. However, I am absolutely frustrated to see so many drivers continuing to get behind the wheel impaired, despite the fact that it is so obviously wrong.

“I am particularly disappointed to see the increase in the number for younger drivers failing alcohol and drug tests. This is a new generation of drivers who appear to not have heeded the very clear messages about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“I hope these results make people really think about the impact that losing their licence would have on their day-to-day lives and come to the realisation that it truly is not worth it.”