Over 350 people arrested in Essex for drink and drug driving this December as Police say any alcohol is too much if you are driving
The force have stepped up their patrols, and say there is "no excuse" for drink or drug driving
Over 350 people have been arrested this December for drink and drug driving.
Essex Police says there is "no excuse" for being under the influence while driving.
The force has made over 10 arrests a day on Essex roads for these issues.
At a Safer Essex Roads Partnership event, Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing said:
"If you are a designated driver for that day, you don't drink anything. We are not going to, as the police, say you will be fine having a glass of wine or a small glass of beer, that is not what we do.
"Our message is very clear, if you are driving, and you're out on a night out, or with family and friends, you don't drink. Simple as that."
Following this news in December that hundreds have been arrested, he said:
“We tackle drug driving all year round, not just at Christmas, but we have stepped up our focus over the festive period as we know people often take greater risks at this time of year.
“We’ve arrested more people on suspicion of drug driving so far this month than any other month for five years.
“We tend to hear people say ‘the tests are faulty’ or ‘I smoked days ago, I feel fine now’, ‘why don’t you target the dealers’.
“I want to be really clear – there is no excuse for drug driving.
“The tests are accurate and are backed up by blood samples. Like with drink, if you’re over the drug driving limit you’re breaking the law. And Op Raptor teams have secured decades of years in prison sentences for drug dealers
“Where you may be prescribed legal cannabis products for medicinal use, you could still be impaired and we test for that.
“We’re on course to make around 1,800 drug driving arrests this year – that’s double the number in 2024, it’s double the number in 2023.
“We’re facing a drug driving epidemic in Essex and it can have fatal consequences.
“My officers will continue to be out across the county targeting those who pose a danger to you.
“If you know someone who is drink or drug driving, please contact us. If you’re with someone who’s about to get behind the wheel, tell them to put the car keys down”.