137 Arrests Made During Christmas Drink and Drug Driving Campaign

137 arrests were made in Cleveland during a drink and drug driving campaign over the Christmas period.

57 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, 73 were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and another seven people refused to provide a sample.

Officers carried out a total of 4,300 stop checks throughout the campaign across the Force area with the assistance of Cleveland Special Constabulary. 

Roads Policing Inspector Steven Clyburn said: “A vast number of tests conducted throughout the campaign were negative, which reflects a change in people’s attitudes towards driving whilst impaired and a recognition that you may still be impaired the morning after. We want to thank all those drivers who have been responsible enough to abide by the law.

“That said, whilst some may think 137 is a low figure compared to the number of checks carried out, just one of those people who have chosen to take the risk by driving under the influence could have caused a serious or even fatal collision. What if one of those drivers had collided with another vehicle carrying a family?

“We won’t tolerate those who drive whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Those people have chosen to not only risk their own safety, but the safety of everyone else using the roads.

“As long as Cleveland continues to see people being killed and seriously injured on our roads through drink and drugs, we will be continuing these campaigns until the message that driving whilst impaired costs lives sinks in.”

*** Driver checks being carried out in Middlesbrough during the Christmas campaign ***