“Drug driving continues to be an epidemic on our roads,” warns the head of Essex Police’s Roads Policing Unit, as officers once again highlight the dangers posed by impaired drivers.
Twenty two people were arrested during a proactive road safety operation targeting those who put lives at risk by driving under the influence of drugs or drink.
Speed enforcement officer
Operation Limit – our ongoing initiative to tackle unsafe driving linked to alcohol and drugs – continues to deliver significant results as we work to make Essex’s roads safer for everyone.
On Saturday 31 January, officers from our Roads Policing Unit made 22 arrests for drink and drug driving offences in and around Basildon. The majority of those arrested tested positive for cannabis or cocaine.
The day’s activity also demonstrated the breadth of offending encountered. The first drug drive arrest followed a stop for a vehicle with no MOT.
Later, an off road bike rider blew 120 on a breath test, failed a drug swipe, and was also found to have no licence and no insurance.
District Commander Paul Hogben said: “I am acutely aware of how important road safety and dealing with off-road motor vehicles is to our residents. We receive excellent support locally from our colleagues in the Roads Policing Unit, who are fully alive to local issues.
“On this occasion they have taken a significant number of dangerous drivers and vehicles off the roads of Basildon, to help keep everyone safe.”
In total, officers recorded:
• 22 arrests – all for drug or drink driving related offences
• 71 Traffic Offence Reports for a range of road safety breaches
• 132 speeding offences – most involving drivers travelling at above 40mph in 30mph zones
• 8 vehicle seizures
Mr Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said: “Findings like this show that there are drivers who either disregard the law completely or think they are safe to drive when they aren’t. Drugs stay in your system longer than you think. They cloud your judgement, slow your reactions and make you a danger to everyone on the road.
“I’d urge the public to contact us if they know of anyone drink or drug driving and we will deal.”
Information sourced with permissions https://essexpolicemedia.co.uk/