Summer Drink Drive Campaign Results Announced

Published on: 26 Jul, 2018
Updated on: 27 Jul, 2018

A Surrey police officer conducts a roadside breathalyser test

By Amina Sahbegovic

Surrey Police released results of drink driving infractions after their Summer Drink Drive Campaign timed to coincide with the World Cup.

The aim of the police campaign to raise awareness of people driving under the influence of drug or alcohol when the World Cup kicked off.

It ran from June 14 to July 15 with the theme “Know the score- or face the penalty” intended to persuade drivers to think before they drink or take drugs if planning on driving.

During the campaign, officers in Surrey “conducted 898 breath tests and administered 83 drug tests, resulting in 130 arrests (60 of which were for drug driving), 43 charges, 133 verbal warnings, 405 fixed penalty notices/traffic offence reports, and 11 court summons.”

Sergeant Adam Dedman of the Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit said: “This year’s campaign shows us that whilst our message is getting through to some, there are still people out there driving under the influence of drink or drugs which is just not acceptable.

“Not only does it impair your judgement and ability to drive safely and could lead to you causing injury or death to others, it can also mean a criminal record, a heavy fine, losing your job and license and an increase in insurance premiums amongst other things.”

The results of the campaign show that 90% of those arrested for drink driving were male in the age range 25-34 while those arrested for drug driving were male between 18-24 years old.

While the campaign has now stopped, the police affirm officers are still on the roads, looking out for people driving while intoxicated to make the road safer.

People in Surrey can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug-driving, or phone 999.