Summer sheds light on drink and drugs

Greater Manchester Police is deploying extra patrol cars during key times over summer as part of a nationwide crackdown on drink and drug driving.

Roadside alcohol and drugs tests will also be carried out in hot spot areas across the region to help reduce the number of drink and drug driving incidents occurring during the warm weather.

During last summer’s drink and drug driving campaign, Greater Manchester Police stopped 5000 drivers of which 155 tested positive for either drink or drugs.

Chief Inspector Haydn Roberts said: “Drink and drug driving is a constant threat but over the summer months we often see a rise and are working hard to combat this. The hot weather sees people flocking to beer gardens or having barbeques and there is very often alcohol involved.

“We want to encourage people to enjoy the sunshine but without the misery caused by drink or drug driving. Just having a drink or two could push you over the limit and can cost people’s lives so we’re appealing to people across Greater Manchester not to get behind the wheel of a car when you’ve had anything to drink.

“On average, 250 people test positive for drink or drug driving every month. This is too high. We are working hard to bring that number down and reduce the number of lives that are lost each year on roads in the area."