165 people were arrested for drink or drug driving on Cumbria’s roads during December.
A total of 94 drivers were either arrested for being over the prescribed limit for drugs or being unfit through drugs, while 50 were arrested on suspicion of drink driving, being unfit through drink or being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.
A further 21 were arrested for either failing to provide a specimen for analysis or failing to comply with a drugs wipe.
The arrests were part of Cumbria police’s Operation Limit, led by the force’s roads policing unit.
Last year’s operation resulted in 206 arrests.
Inspector Jack Stabler, of the RPU, said: “The operation resulted in a similar number of arrests this year for drink driving, with a reduction in the number of drivers caught drug driving.
“While I hope that this may be a sign that the penny is dropping for some people and that they are becoming more aware of the dangers of drug-driving – as well as our ability to catch people whilst unfit at the wheel through drugs – I can assure the public that, as we begin a new year, there will be no let up in our commitment to targeting dangerous drivers.
“While we will continue to embrace these national operations throughout the year, our roads policing unit is targeting dangerous drivers 365 days a year as we work to drive down the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen said: “The high numbers are disappointing, particularly as the police warn people that they will be doing more localised stops during the festive season.
“Due to the hard work of various officers over the festive period, 160 people who were not fit to be behind the wheel were taken off our roads.
“This potentially stopped fatal and serious collisions from taking place. It is highly probable that this activity stopped at least one family’s Christmas from being ruined due to a loved one being injured or killed by a driver who was over the limit.
“The message is clear: if you drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you will be caught and face the consequences. It simply isn’t worth the risk.
“I’d like to remind people that drugs also stay in your system longer, so even if you haven’t ingested drugs in a few days, it may still appear in a roadside drugs test if you are pulled over.”
