IN the first ten days of the Police drink drive campaign in West Mercia and Warwickshire 116 people have been arrested for drink/drug offences.
And now Redditch Police are calling on residents not risk a drink drive conviction this Christmas.
“Enforcing the drink and drug drive law is a 24/7 commitment,” said a spokesman.
“This will be reflected by the police officers and increased enforcement at all times of the day and night.”
The annual drink/drug drive campaign was launched on December 1 and the shock figure of 116 arrests covers the period only up until December 10.
“There is no foolproof way of calculating how much you can drink and remain under the limit, or knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely,” said the spokesperson.
“Importantly, it is hard to calculate how long alcohol may stay in your body if you are driving the morning after so the safest option if you are driving is to drink no alcohol at all.”
Police say people should think of using public transport, catch a taxi or choose a designated driver to stay sober.
Pedestrians are also being encouraged to stay safe during the festive season and to plan safe routes home and to drink responsibly.
In the past three years 13 people were killed and 109 seriously injured in West Mercia alone following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor.
Assistant Chief Constable Martin Evans of West Mercia Police said: “There are still people out there who feel they can gamble with drinking and driving and think they know how much the limit is. Cracking down on those who take drugs or drink and then decide to drive is a year round commitment for us.
“However, we are very aware the festive season can present opportunities where people are tempted to drive under the influence. To combat this, extra patrols will be conducted in the run up to and over Christmas and New Year in a bid to tackle those who commit the unacceptable act of drinking or drug driving. The simple fact is, there is only one way of being sure that you are safe to drive and that is not to drink at all.”
