Over a hundred motorists were apprehended on suspicion of operating vehicles while impaired by alcohol or drugs in a recent operation conducted by West Yorkshire Police this month.
In support of the summer drink and drug driving campaign by the National Police Chief Council, there was heightened vigilance on the roads of West Yorkshire from the 14th to the 27th of August.
During this period, officers from West Yorkshire Police carried out 126 arrests, comprising 42 arrests related to drug-impaired driving and 84 arrests linked to alcohol-impaired driving.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs contributes to approximately 15 percent of fatal collisions, leading to the loss of 65 lives and numerous serious injuries on West Yorkshire’s roadways in the previous year.
Inspector Chris Robinson, of West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Driving while impaired, whether that is due to alcohol or drugs, puts yourself and other road users at serious risk. We are committed to making our roads safer by ensuring that those who choose to drive while unfit have their licences taken away from them.
“While we have highlighted this recent enforcement campaign, the reality is that our officers arrest people on a daily basis for drink and drug driving offences. Too many people still think it is okay to take the risk.
“We need people to think about their own fitness to drive, as well as others, and encourage family and friends to find another way home if they have been drinking or taking drugs.
“If you witness someone getting behind the wheel who you believe to be over the drink-drive limit or under the influence of drugs then please report it.”
If you witness a crime in progress, then you should phone 999 immediately. If you have information about someone you think has committed a drunk or drug driving offence, then you can report it by calling 101 or filling in the drink/drug driver reporting form at: Drink / drug driving reporting form | West Yorkshire Police
