"Selfish and reckless": 66 people arrested in first week of Lancashire Police' Op Limit
Lancashire Police have revealed that their crackdown on those drink/drug driving this Christmas has already seen record breaking results.
Operation Limit was launched last week urging motorists not to drink or drug drive over the Christmas period and the force say too many drivers have already shown a non-festive attitude when getting behind the wheel.
In the first week of the campaign, officers arrested 66 people across Lancashire for drink/drug offences, a rise of 20% from this time last year.
Op Limit is designed to make the county’s roads safer by finding those people who are prepared to flout the law by drink or drug driving – putting other road users and pedestrians in danger by their selfish actions.
So what has been achieved so far?
In the first seven days, 30 drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving with excess drugs and 22 on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol.
Six people were arrested for driving while unfit through drink/drugs, while five spent time in the cells for being in charge of a vehicle while unfit through drinks/drugs.
One person was also arrested for being in charge of a vehicle when in excess of the alcohol limit, and two for failing to provide a breath test.
There were then three particularly high readings which our officers dealt with last week:
- A 60-year-old man blew 122 – nearly three-and-a-half times the limit for alcohol - at the roadside after his car was in collision with another vehicle in Skeffington Road, Preston. When he was brought into custody, he blew 108 – still more than three times over.
- On Edith Rigby Way, Preston, a 39-year-old man was breath tested after being found slumped behind the wheel and gave a reading of 97.
- During a routine stop on Blackpool Old Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, a 26-year-old man blew 81.
What has the force said about Op Limit?
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “Our officers patrol the roads all year round in a bid to keep them safe, but we know that Christmas is a busy time on the roads network, with people potentially indulging more.
“The message is simple – don’t get behind the wheel if you have been drinking or taken drugs.
“And remember that alcohol and drugs can stay in your system, meaning you still can test positive the following morning.
“Don’t take the risk, don’t be selfish and reckless, don’t put other road users and yourself in danger. “