WEST Midlands Police launched their Christmas crackdown campaign to stop drink and drug drivers this week.
Since Tuesday Coventry officers have been on high-visibility patrols and they will also be setting up a number of static checkpoints at various locations to carry out roadside spot checks throughout the Christmas and New Year period.
Those arrested for drink driving may also find themselves drug tested as part of the Drug Interventions Programme.
PC Steve Rogers, from the force’s traffic unit, said: “Drink driving is an issue all year, but with the more relaxed atmosphere during the Christmas and New Year period, the temptation to offend becomes greater.
“We urge people not to put their friends, families or members of the public at risk by drink or drug driving.
“Passengers can also help by refusing to be driven by someone who has been drinking or taking drugs, and by appointing a designated driver.
“Remember that by drinking alcohol the night before you could still be over the drink drive limit well into the following day. There is no such thing as a ‘safe’ limit and the answer is not to drink at all if you are driving.
“If you are caught drink driving or driving while under the influence of drugs, the consequences could be wide-ranging, including the loss of your driving licence, which will in turn affect your career and family life. Ultimately you could go to prison. It’s not worth the risk.
“Driving while unfit through drugs is just as dangerous; this includes driving under the influence of prescribed medication and over-the-counter products as well as illegal substances. These can affect perception, concentration and reaction times.”
In last year’s campaign more than 20,000 drivers were stopped, of which 4,155 were breathalysed, compared to 3,420 tests carried out in 2007.
Of those, 12.7 per cent tested positive, a drop on the previous year’s percentage of 12.8 per cent.
Nationally, almost one in seven of all road deaths involve drivers who are over the legal limit.
Research shows men in their 20s and 50s are most likely to offend.
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