More than 100 arrests have been made as part of Kent Police’s ongoing drink and drug driving enforcement campaign.
Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is one of the ‘fatal factors’ that put vehicle owners most at risk along with speeding, being distracted at the wheel (e.g. by a mobile phone) and not wearing a seatbelt.
Kent Police is supporting a national initiative between 1 December 2024 and 1 January 2025 aimed at raising awareness of the dangers and reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured in road traffic collisions.
A total of 107 arrestable offences were committed up to and including Wednesday 11 December for incidents relating to drink and drug driving, including refusing to provide a sample for analysis.
Examples include:
• Patrols attended Beacon Road, Broadstairs, at around 8.40am on Sunday 1 December after a car collided with a parked vehicle. A roadside drug wipe was carried out on the driver, who tested positive for traces of cannabis and cocaine. The 19-year-old from Margate was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and later released on bail pending further enquiries.
• On Wednesday 4 December officers observed a van swerving on the A20 in Charing, near Ashford, at around 9.30am. The driver, a 58-year-old man from Faversham, told officers he had stopped drinking at around 1am but the alcohol was still in his system and he failed a roadside breath test. He was later charged with driving over the legal limit for alcohol.
• At around 11.25pm on Thursday 5 December officers attended Crook Road in Brenchley, near Tonbridge, after a car collided with a tree and went into a ditch. The driver of the vehicle, a 39-year-old man from the Tonbridge area, failed a roadside breath test and was arrested on suspicion of driving whilst over the legal limit for alcohol. He was later released on bail pending further enquiries.
Simple message
Chief Inspector Craig West said:
‘Our message to motorists in the run-up to Christmas is simple. If you are planning to drive then please do not drink alcohol or take drugs before you do, or you risk being involved in a serious or fatal collision.‘ Even if you were out the night before, do not assume it is safe to get behind the wheel the following morning because often it is not and you will be arrested if caught.‘ Our officers will continue to patrol Kent’s roads throughout the rest of the campaign and beyond, and will not hesitate to take action against anyone who is reckless enough to drive whilst under the influence of drink or drugs. They are also making sure to check on any other passengers who are present, to ensure any further concerns can be investigated as part of the force’s commitment to child protection and tackling violence against women and girls.’