Surrey Police Launches Annual Crackdown on Drink and Drug Driving

Published on: 6 Dec, 2025
Updated on: 7 Dec, 2025

Surrey Police conduct roadside stops on Parkway, between The Spectrum and The Lido, as part of Op Limit. Ben Darnton

Surrey Police have begun Op Limit, a national campaign aimed at tackling drink and drug driving during one of the highest-risk periods of the year.

Throughout December, officers from the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) and local policing teams will be carrying out increased patrols, targeted stops and roadside checks across the county. The operation aims to reduce serious injuries and fatalities caused by impaired driving on Surrey’s roads.

The campaign forms part of a coordinated national effort led by the NPCC, with forces across the country joining to highlight the serious dangers of driving under the influence.

December regularly sees an increase in collisions and arrests linked to drink and drug driving, particularly around weekends, Christmas parties and the morning after alcohol consumption.

Chief Inspector Karen Coyne, Roads Policing operational command lead, said: “The festive period should be about spending time with friends, families and communities, and celebrating.

“However, we know that with all the Christmas parties and other festive activities about, some people make ill-advised choices to get behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs.

“This decision can and does cost lives, but these deaths are all entirely avoidable if people choose not to put themselves and others at risk. While we cannot always prevent people from driving when over the limit, we will be relentless in pursuing those who do.”

Drink and drug driving remain among the leading causes of serious collisions both locally and nationally. On average, over 1,800 people are killed or seriously injured on UK roads as a result of drink and/or drug driving. (STATS19 data)

Surrey Police carrying out a breathalyser test.

In December 2024, Surrey officers:

Arrested 196 drink/drug drivers
Carried out 2,310 roadside breath tests and 474 drug wipe tests
Completed 8,847 vehicle stops and checks.

This year, officers will be using both breathalyser and roadside drug wipe kits and will take immediate action where drivers are found to be impaired.

A police spokesperson said: “The consequences of drink or drug driving could include: