Christmas crackdown comes early for drink drivers

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by Change | 3 Dec 2008

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Police in south-east England are targeting drivers early in order to reduce the number of people driving after alcohol or drug abuse.

A Sussex police operation targeting drivers who have engaged in alcohol or drug abuse before getting behind the wheel has already led to the arrest of 90 offenders.

The initiative began two weeks earlier than the national Christmas clampdown, starting on November 17th.

Since this point, 1,300 motorists police believe showed signs of substance or alcohol abuse have been breathalysed.

Steve Barry, the superintendant at the head of the Road Policing Unit, claims the main reason for the project's early start was statistics showing the increase in accidents begins during November.

Continuing for six weeks, the initiative aims to dissuade people who have engaged in alcohol abuse from driving by maximising the visibility of the scheme's participants.

Mr Barry says: "Our job is to crack down on all types of anti-social driving and getting behind the wheel of a car whilst affected by drink or drugs is anti-social driving of the worst kind."

Last month, the Home Office announced it would be making £1 million available for alcohol abuse referral projects.

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