Hundreds of drink and drug drivers arrested in December

404 drink and drug drivers arrested in a month

More than 400 drink and drug drivers were taken off the roads in December as part of Greater Manchester Police’s Christmas operation.

Officers arrested 324 drink drivers and 80 drug drivers between 1 December 2015 and 1 January 2016.

This compares to 273 drink drivers and 44 drug drivers arrested during the same period in 2014/15, an increase of 21 per cent.

The number of people arrested for driving whilst under the influence of drugs almost doubled, something which officers attribute to the introduction of new legislation and roadside drug testing kits that enable officers to check for cannabis and cocaine using a swab of saliva.

Of the 404 people arrested, 142 tested positive following a collision.

Inspector Susan Redfern from the Road Policing Unit said: “It’s disappointing that in this day and age there are so many people putting lives at risk by choosing to drive with drugs or alcohol in their system.

“Each of those 404 people arrested made a very poor decision to drive under the influence and that decision has potentially cost them their licence, career and self respect. I’m only glad we caught them before it cost them their life or, worse still, somebody else’s.

“Although our Christmas operation has finished, rest assured that catching drink and drug drivers remains a priority for us and officers will continue to test motorists that they suspect are causing danger on our roads.

“If you are going out where there may be temptation to drink, then please do the right thing and leave the car at home and arrange alternative transport, or stick to none for the road.”

To report a drink or drug driver contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.