52 Arrested in Crackdown on Motorists Drink Driving

Over 5000 breath tests have been carried out in North Wales during a month-long Anti Drink and Drug Drive Summer Campaign.

The campaign, which was led by North Wales Police saw officers carry out over 12,000 breath tests and 52 arrests under the new Section 5A drug drive offence.

North Wales Police administered 5,235 breath tests with 85 being positive which equates to 1.62%. They also carried out 20 drug swipe tests, using the new kit, where half failed.

The tests were introduced as part of new legislation which came into being on March 4th 2015, giving officers the ability to test for cannabis and cocaine use.

In North Wales the highest reading was found to be 125mg – well over the legal limit of 35mg. As a result a 36 year-old woman from Holywell was arrested on June 17th at Prestatyn and was subsequently charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.

The woman appeared before Prestatyn Magistrates on July 1st, where she was given a 12 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, ordered to go on a rehabilitation programme and pay costs. Only five days before, on June 12th she had been banned from driving due to drink driving.

Chief Inspector Darren Wareing said: “North Wales Police are carrying out intelligence-led operations targeting people who frequently drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs throughout the year.

“It has been three years since we launched Operation Sodium – a 24/7 365 day a year anti-drink/drug driving campaign that was launched in response to the growing number of young 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.

“I would also like to personally thank each individual who contacted us during the campaign to give us the information we needed. The sole reason we carry out these campaigns is to help keep people safe on the roads, and by letting us know of anybody driving under the influence of drink or drugs they are possibly saving a life.

“It is important to stress that the work does not stop here – any amount of alcohol or drugs affects your ability to drive, and campaigns such as this help to raise awareness. We will continue to target those breaking the law as part of daily policing. Operation Sodium is in full swing and the police are in a community near you targeting drink/drug driving now.

“Driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs has significant impact on people; the devastation caused to families following a fatal collision can be immesurable.”

Anyone with information regarding individuals who are believed to drive whilst over the legal limit or drive under the influence of drugs, can contact North Wales Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.