Christmas drink and drug driving campaign launched by police

As part of the #NoExcuse campaign, officers from the roads and armed policing team will be breathalysing every driver they speak to from Friday, December 1 until Monday, January 1. 

Tim Passmore, police and crime commissioner for Suffolk, said: "There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to get behind the wheel of a vehicle if they are unfit to drive. We all know drink and drug driving kills."

Tim Passmore, Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner (Image: Newsquest)

"My message to those irresponsible drivers, who have chosen to ignore the law, is take heed, our road policing officers are out across the county all day, every day and if you get caught you will be prosecuted."

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The Department for Transport has found a six-fold increase in the number of people caught driving whilst under the influence of drugs.

Drivers who have consumed both drink and drugs are 23 more times likely to be involved in a fatal collision.

Chief Inspector Vicky McParland said: "Most drink drive offences are committed between 7pm and 7am."

"You need to be mindful that you may still be over the limit the morning after if you have drunk alcohol or for several days if you have taken drugs."

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Suffolk police has also secured funding from National Highways which will be used to purchase additional drug wipes to be used throughout the campaign.

This will help expand testing capability and increase chances to detect drug drivers on Suffolk roads. 

Lawrence Seager, regional safety programme manager from National Highways, said: "Driving whilst under the influence of drugs is not only illegal, but extremely dangerous, affecting driving behaviour in numerous ways."