Warwickshire Police officers stopped a total of 39 drivers between 22-28 August on suspicion of drink or drug driving during just one week of a national anti drink and drug driving campaign (15-28 August).

Of those stopped, a total of 32 breath tests and 11 drug wipes were completed and 17 drivers were arrested, including 1 arrest for Section 4 RTA (unfit to drive through drink or drugs) following a collision and five arrests for Sec 5A drug driving.

Eleven drivers were arrested for drink driving, including 28 year old Lee Darren Rollins from Arbury Road, Nuneaton who was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months after appearing before Coventry Magistrates on Saturday 27 August charged with drink driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without a licence.

He is also required to carry out 200 hours supervised unpaid work and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 61 months for driving whilst disqualified and for 12 months for drink driving and ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge and £135 costs.

The 28 year old was arrested just after 9pm on Friday 26 August on suspicion of drink driving in Bucks Hill, Nuneaton after police observed the driver. He failed a road side breath test and was arrested.

He remained in custody in a police cell overnight and appeared before Coventry Magistrates the following morning.

The defendant’s guilty plea was taken into consideration when imposing the sentence.

Sergeant Shaun Bridle said

“Lee Rollins’ vehicle was also seized under s165 for no insurance and he will face a custodial sentence if he fails to comply with this sentence.

“We hope this helps demonstrate how far reaching the consequences are for those who choose to drink or take drugs and drive – not only do you risk losing your driving licence, being imprisoned and facing a fine, but also your job, family, private life and travel will be affected. Police and Warwickshire Road Safety partners are also urging those who need help with an addiction to seek help from drug and alcohol support services in the county.”

Philip Seccombe, Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire and Chair of WRSP said “Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive and we are asking drivers to do the right thing and not drink or take drugs and drive. 

“Warwickshire road safety partners are working to improve all aspects of road safety but we need the public to play their part too if we are to achieve a 50% reduction in death and serious injury on our roads by 2030. “

During the same week, 7 collisions were recorded with 16 injuries reported. The drivers were asked to provide a road side breath test and drug swipe and 4 were arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

This included two drivers over the weekend of 27-29 August who had been involved in collisions:-

A 44 year old man from Dordon, Tamworth was arrested at 02.03hours on 28 August on suspicion of drink driving in Warton Lane, Warton when police were called to reports of a vehicle in a ditch. The driver failed a road side breath test and was later charged. He is due to appear before Coventry Magistrates on 21 September.

An 18 year old woman from Balsall Common, Coventry was arrested at 04.27hours on 28 August on suspicion of drink driving in Fosberry Close, Warwick when police were called to a collision where her car had collided with a parked vehicle and she failed a road side breath test. She was later charged with drink driving and is due to appear before Coventry Magistrates on 16 September 2022 with three others charged with drink driving during the same weekend:-

A 35 year old woman from Kenilworth was arrested at 22.30hours on 26 August on suspicion of drink driving in Waverley Road, Kenilworth after officers observed her manner of driving and she failed a road side breath test.

A 27 year old man from Hemel Hempstead was arrested at 02.15hours on 28 August in Moultree Road, Rugby on suspicion of drink driving when his vehicle was stopped due to his manner of driving and he failed a breath test.

A 49 year old man from Bedworth was arrested at 22.33hours on 28 August on suspicion of drink driving near his home address after officers observed his manner of driving and he failed a road side breath test.

Drug and Alcohol support services in Warwickshire:-

Compass is our Young Peoples service – up to 25 years old
Compass is the children and young people’s drug and alcohol service in Warwickshire. Compass is available for children and young people to talk to for support. Compass can be contacted by Freephone 0800 0887248 email compasswarwickshire@compass-uk.org Text (Chathealth): 07507 331525 Opening hours Mon-Thurs 9-5 Fri 9-4.30

CGL is for adults 18 years old and above
CGL Warwickshire believe that everyone has the ability to change. Anyone can be affected by drug and /or alcohol use regardless of their ethnicity, religion, beliefs, class, age, sexuality, disability or lifestyle.
To contact CGL Tel 01926 353513 Email Warwickshire.info@cgl.org.uk Facebook @ChangeGrowLiveWarwickshire Twitter @WarwickshireCGL