West Mercia Police warn drivers not to start 2022 with a drink or drug drive conviction as number caught since December 1 hits 198 - The Bromsgrove Standard

West Mercia Police warn drivers not to start 2022 with a drink or drug drive conviction as number caught since December 1 hits 198

Bromsgrove Editorial 31st Dec, 2021   0

MOTORISTS are being warned to make sure they do not start 2022 with a drink or drug-driving conviction.

It comes as West Mercia Police confirmed that 198 motorists had been caught for the offences since the start of the pre-Christmas and new year awareness campaign.

A total of 121 had breached the permitted alcohol limit and 77 failed drugs tests – 50 of those have been caught in the past week.

Officers will continue to be out in force this evening and into new year’s day as part of the crackdown on motorists who take the risk and put their own – and other – lives in jeopardy on the roads.




West Mercia Police said there was no foolproof way of calculating how much people could can drink and remain under the limit, or knowing how much an individual person could drink and still drive safely.

Any amount of alcohol or drugs can affect their ability to drive and there are numerous consequences of driving with alcohol or drugs in their system.


Importantly, it is hard to calculate how long alcohol may stay in a person’s body if driving the morning after. There are plenty of alternatives available with public transport, taxis and sharing designated drivers.

Figures indicate that – over the past three years – 43 people had died and 215 had been seriously injured in West Mercia following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor.

Supt Gareth Morgan, for West Mercia Police, said: ‘It’s extremely frustrating that some motorists still selfishly choose to drive under the influence of drink or drugs in the knowledge that their actions could kill or seriously injure themselves or others despite the amount of warnings we have given.

Drink or drug driving is completely unacceptable at any time and catching motorists who are prepared to take such a risk is a priority for us.

“Patrols will be conducted over New Year in a bid to tackle those who commit the unacceptable act of drinking or drug driving.

“The simple fact is, there is only one way of being sure that you are safe to drive and that is not to drink at all.”

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