Over 200 drink and drug driving arrests were made during December as part of Cumbria Constabulary’s road safety operation.
Officers stopped almost 3,000 vehicles and made 206 arrests on suspicion of drink or drug driving, being unfit or failing to provide.
Of those arrested, 120 were on suspicion of driving while over the limit for drugs and 45 on suspicion of driving while over the limit for alcohol.
A further 41 were arrested either failing to provide or Section 4 driving or attempting to drive while unfit.
Operation Limit was led by officers from the constabulary’s dedicated Roads Policing Unit.
Inspector Jack Stabler, of the unit, said: “Whilst the Christmas arrest figures always make headlines, our officers are committed to ridding Cumbria’s roads of dangerous drink and drug drivers 365 days a year.
“Those selfish individuals who make the choice to get behind the wheel whilst unfit through drink or drugs are putting lives at risk and, as we begin the New Year I would urge people to do their bit and report anyone they suspect of drink or drug driving so our officers can take action.”
There were no fatal road traffic collisions on the county’s roads throughout December. In December 2023, four people lost their lives on our roads.
As well as the arrests, officers also issued 114 Traffic Offence Reports and made more than 100 stop and searches.
The operation also received more than 100 intelligence submissions from the public.
Inspector Stabler said: “We’re encouraged by the support from the public via intelligence submissions. Stopping drink and drug drivers is not just a job for police officers but something we can all be active about, from being a good friend and intervening if a friend who is unfit attempts to get behind the wheel to reporting dangerous drivers putting the lives of road users at risk.
“We can all work together to stop dangerous drivers causing avoidable tragedy in 2025.”
Operation Limit in 2024 saw a 46 per cent increase in drivers being arrested for drug driving, while drink driving arrests fell by 23 per cent.
