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Shocking 26% of Norfolk drivers tested over Christmas were over the limit for alcohol or drugs




Police in Norfolk tested 400 drivers during their annual Christmas campaign - with a shocking 26% providing a positive result for drink or drug-driving.

The month-long initiative ran throughout December in conjunction with a UK-wide operation organised by the National Police Chiefs’ Council highlighting the dangers of driving while under the influence.

Messaging focused on the ‘everyday’ drink-driver. This person might have had two or three pints at the pub after work on a Friday night, or have spent a Saturday night at a Christmas party before driving on the Sunday morning while still over the limit.

A shocking 26% of Norfolk drivers tested over the Christmas period were over the limit for alcohol or drugs. Picture: iStock
A shocking 26% of Norfolk drivers tested over the Christmas period were over the limit for alcohol or drugs. Picture: iStock

Officers breathalysed 345 drivers across Norfolk, as well as conducting 55 drug wipes.

Of those tests:

• 75 people were arrested having provided a positive breath test or refused to provide a sample

• 29 people were arrested following a positive drug wipe

• Of all the people who failed a test, 80% were male (compared to 77% last year) and 23% were under the age of 25 (compared to 15% last year)

Chief Inspector Vicky McParland, of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “Over 100 people in Norfolk decided that they wanted to not only risk their licences but also their lives and the lives of other road users.

“There has been a disappointing increase in the number of young people committing these offences.

“There is a real need to fully understand the consequences of your actions. You could lose your licence, your income, your freedom and ultimately your life.

“Driving under the influence is a choice and there are always other options. We will continue to remove these offending drivers from our roads but we do ask that if you have the chance to stop someone from getting behind the wheel, you could save that person their licence or more importantly, you could save a life.

“Although we highlight drink and drug-driving at this time of year, it is of course something we enforce 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“These results only strengthen the need for campaigns such as this as people continue choose to take such unnecessary risks whilst being fully aware of the dangers.”

Sarah Taylor, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, added: “Regular campaigns over the festive period are crucial in keeping our roads safe.

“There’s clearly much more work to be done to educate people. In the meantime, we must encourage family and friends in our communities to stop people they know from getting behind the wheel intoxicated.”

People can report drink and drug-driving anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online here.

In an emergency, people should always call 999.



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