Two arrested for drink-driving in Wrexham over weekend

Two drink-drive related arrests were made in the county borough over the weekend.

The arrests, made in Chirk and Wrexham, were among several made by North Wales Police across the region over the weekend.

Now North Wales Police are again issuing a warning to motorists that they will crack down on those caught driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs following the arrests made – including one man who had young children in the car.

At around 5:20pm on Saturday January 20th an officer from the Roads Policing Unit stopped a car on the A55 westbound carriageway in Colwyn Bay after it was clocked travelling at 94mph in the 50mph zone.

The 24-year-old driver failed the roadside drugs test after testing positive for cannabis. The man’s partner and children were also in the car – including an eight month old baby.

He was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and was later released under investigation pending the results of further tests. The man was also issued with a TOR (Traffic Offence Report) for the speeding offence.

Other cases over the weekend saw a 25-year-old man being arrested following a damage-only collision involving two-vehicles on the A55 at Tal-y-Bont near Bangor on Sunday, 21st January.

He failed the roadside drugs test after testing positive for cannabis and was arrested. He was also arrested for possession of a Class B drug. He has since been released under investigation and enquiries are ongoing.

Inspector Dave Cust from the Force’s Roads Policing Unit said: “Only a few days after we released the results from our Christmas Anti Drink and Drug Drive campaign, once again, we are having to issue a warning to people regarding the dangers of drink and drug driving.

“Despite our repeated messages people are still being reckless and risking their own lives and the lives of other road users by choosing to take to the roads whilst under the influence.”

During 2017 North Wales Police made 882 drink drive and 600 drug drive arrests across the region. During the Christmas campaign, 87 drink drive and 56 drug drive arrests were made.

Inspector Cust added: “Driving with excess alcohol or under the influence of drugs is not just a criminal offence but also completely unacceptable. North Wales Police will continue to target those breaking the law as part of daily policing.”

Elsewhere in Wrexham a vehicle was seized due to no insurance and following a stop check on a car in Holyhead during the early hours of Sunday morning the driver was discovered as having a revoked licence.

Officers also dealt with many weather-related road traffic collisions and assisted colleagues from the Safer Neighbourhood Teams with arrests – including the arrest of a man in Connah’s Quay who was wanted for burglary.

The 26-year-old man also failed the roadside breath test and was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. He has since been charged and will appear before Caernarfon Magistrates on February 5th.

Officers are also reminding motorists of the penalties if caught driving whilst using a mobile phone as they support the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) Mobile Phone Awareness Week.

Starting this week officers will target drivers using hand-held mobile phones whilst driving.

In March 2017 the law changed that meant drivers now receive six points on their driving licence and receive a £200 fine. These changes will have a significant impact on young new drivers as they risk having their licence revoked on first offence.

Inspector Cust added: “We are still seeing too many people deciding to take that risk to use their mobile phone whilst driving, whether looking at a text, making and receiving calls or browsing the web. Doing any of these will clearly impair and distract your ability to drive a vehicle safely.

“Our message to drivers is to not put others at risk – and to keep your eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel.”

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 via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always dial 999.