Summer Anti-Drink and Drug Driving Results Released

This summer's anti-drink and drug driving campaign has resulted in 94 drivers being arrested for drunk driving in Bedfordshire throughout June.

This year as part of the stay ‘Stay Safe’ summer campaign, Bedfordshire Police joined forces with ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers), TISPOL (European Traffic Police Network) and police services across the country in a nationwide clampdown on drink and drug driving. Of the 94 people, 3 were arrested for ‘being in charge of a vehicle with excess alcohol’, 78 for providing a positive breath test, 2 who refused a breath test and 11 who were ‘deemed unfit to drive through drink/drugs’.

Chief Inspector Richard Hann from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Road Policing Unit commented: “It is disappointing that a number of drivers continue to attempt to get away with drinking or taking drugs before getting behind the wheel.

“This year we want to ensure that people are able to have a good time and celebrate the fantastic events happening throughout the summer, without making it memorable for the wrong reasons. I would remind drivers of the consequences of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs – you could lose your job, your friends, and your freedom. If involved in a collision, you could seriously injure or kill yourself, somebody you care about or somebody else’s loved one. Never be tempted to take the chance that you’re under the legal limit. Drink or drug driving will not be tolerated in Bedfordshire.”

Bedfordshire Police advises the following alternatives to drink and drug driving:

• If you have to take the car, make sure you stick to non-alcoholic drinks rather than having one glass of wine or a pint of beer and hoping you’ll be under the legal limit – you can’t calculate your limit so don’t try to.
• Take it in turns for one of your party to be the designated driver.
• Leave the car at home and use public transport or take a registered taxi – why not pre-book one with a reputable company before you go out.

If you know a drink driver, you could help by calling us on 101 and telling us where and when they drink. If you know someone has been drinking and is about to drive, always dial 999.

• If you are found to be driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs you can face:
• A minimum of a 12-month disqualification, as well as a fine and/or imprisonment.
• The offence of causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs now carries a maximum penalty of 14 year’s imprisonment and a disqualification of at least two years.

The legal alcohol limit for driving is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood but there is no failsafe guide to the amount of alcohol that a driver can safely consume. The amount and type of alcoholic drink, the weight, sex and metabolism of the driver all play a part. But any amount of alcohol affects driving ability – a motorist’s ability to judge speed and distance may be impaired, their reaction times may be slowed and their judgement of risk seriously affected.