Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership is urging drivers not to drink or take drugs and drive this Summer after new DfT statistics released on 27 July show the number of people killed in drink drive collisions in 2021 has reached a 12 year high*.  Instead of driving, drinkers on a night out are asked to plan ahead and agree a designated driver with friends before they go out, book a taxi, arrange to stay nearby, or go out within walking distance of home.

The advice comes at the start of the new National Chief Police Council summer anti drink and drug driving operation that aims to draw drivers’ attention not only to the risks posed by drink and drug driving but the serious penalties drivers will face if they are caught. 

For those persistent drink and drug drivers, officers from the Operational Patrol Unit, Special Constabulary and Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be conducting highly visible policing activity and dedicated roadside checks to remove impaired drivers from Warwickshire’s roads to protect the vast majority of law abiding road users.

All drivers that are involved in a collision will also be asked to provide a roadside breath test and drug swipe.  

Those that provide a positive breath test or drug swipe will be arrested and taken to a police station for further enquiries to be made. Those arrested may also find their arrest featured online as we will be publicising anonymised details on social media throughout the campaign.

We can all play a part in making our roads safer and we are asking the public to help by reporting the details of suspected drink or drug drivers to us.

Sergeant Simon Dalby said “The warmer summer evenings are perfect for bbqs, nights out and pub meals, but please remember drink driving is illegal and puts lives at risk. If you are driving, it’s best not to drink at all.”

Officers will also be speaking to drivers about the dangers of drink and drug driving and where appropriate referring them to drug and alcohol support services for help and advice. If you are addicted to drink or drugs, you can also self-refer.

It’s not just drink and illegal drugs that can seriously impair your driving.  Eleven prescribed drugs are potentially illegal for driving and dangerous for working so please speak to your pharmacist to check you are safe to drive and if in doubt do not drive. It is your responsibility to check.

Police are also advising passengers to think of your own safety and not to get into a car with any driver you think has been drinking or taking drugs.

Please follow the campaign on social media T @WarksPolice @WarksRoadSafety and F @WarwickshirePolice @WarwickshireRoadSafety.  We will be using #DontDrinkDrive and #DontDrugDrive to share facts and dispel myths around drink or drug driving on social media every day during the campaign.

Statistics

In 2021, 20 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions in Warwickshire where the driver was impaired by alcohol.  Speeding was also a factor in 8 of these collisions.  Six people killed or seriously injured in collisions in Warwickshire in 2021 were impaired by drugs including medicinal drugs.

Drug and alcohol support services in Warwickshire:-

There are a range of local services for adults and young people affected by alcohol and/or drugs.

Change Grow Live (CGL) can support anyone aged 18+ with any concerns about their drug and/or alcohol use and have hubs in Leamington Spa, Nuneaton, Rugby and Stratford-upon-Avon. CGL offer personalised 1-1 care and group support.

For more information see: https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-warwickshire 

Or call 01926 353 513

Or email Warwickshire.Info@cgl.org.uk 

You can refer yourself or refer someone else into the service at https://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol-service-warwickshire/referrals 

Compass can support children and young people aged 5-25 with any substance misuse issues or concerns including drugs, alcohol, smoking and vaping. Compass offer age appropriate information, 1:1 support and group work for any individual needing support with their own substance use, or who have been affected by another’s drug and alcohol use.

For more information and online referral form see:

https://www.compass-uk.org/services/warwickshire-cypdas/ 

Or call: 01788 578 227

For more information see https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/alcohol “

About DfT stats

*The DfT data shows that between 240 and 280 people were killed in drink-drive collisions in 2021, with a central estimate of 260 fatalities. The estimate is the highest since 2009 and represents a statistically significant increase from 2020. Meanwhile, the central estimate of the number of killed or seriously injured drink-drive casualties in 2021 is 1,880, an increase of 23% on 2020.

The full article can be seen here Reported road casualties in Great Britain, involving illegal alcohol levels: 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Recent arrests include:-

A 46 year old man from Rugby was arrested at 05.55hours on 12 August on Bilton Road in Rugby after he was observed driving by the police who had been alerted by town centre cctv that he may be drink driving.  Due to this officers attended and stopped a Mitsubishi Colt.  The driver failed a road side breath test and was later charged with Failing to Provide a Specimen for Analysis. He is due to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 15 September.

A 67 year old woman from Bulkington was arrested at 16.35hours on 12 August on suspicion of drink driving after she was involved in a single vehicle collision on Rugby Road, Bulkington.   She was later charged with drink driving to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 22 September.

A 35 year old woman from Rugby was arrested at 01.25hours on 13 August on suspicion of drink driving after officers were called to a collision on the Fosse Way junction with School Lane, Wolston where a car had gone across the junction through a hedge and into a field with two young children in the car.  She failed a roadside breath test and was charged with drink driving to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 22 September. 

Police arrested a 40 year old man from London on suspicion of drink driving at 00.07hours on 12 August near Junction 3 of the M6 after officers patrolling the motorway saw what they thought was a live lane breakdown on the other carriageway.  They arrived at the incident to find a VW Passatt was believed to have collided with the back of another vehicle.  The driver failed a roadside breath test and was later charged with Failing to Provide a Specimen for Analysis.  He is scheduled to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 1 September 2023.

A 34 year old man from Erdington was arrested on suspicion of drink driving at 02.38hours on 12 August when a member of the public called police having seen a man slumped at the wheel of his Suzuki Swift on Oldbury Road, Hartshill. He was later charged with Failing to Provide a Specimen for Analysis to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 22 September

A 35 year old man from Hayes was arrested at 04.18hours on 13 August when officers observed his manner of driving along the M6 southbound in a Range Rover Sport and stopped the vehicle at Watford Gap Services.  The driver was later charged with Failing to Provide a Specimen for Analysis and is due to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 15 September.

A 24 year old man from Coventry was arrested at 03.06hours on 12 August on suspicion of drink driving on Dalehouse Lane, Kenilworth when his Mercedes C200 was stopped by officers.  He failed a roadside breath test and was later charged with drink driving to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 1 September.

A 31 year old man from Coventry was arrested at 04.20hours on 12 August on suspicion of drink driving on Kenilworth Road in Leamington Spa when his Vauxhall Astra was stopped by officers due to a minor traffic offence and he failed a roadside breath test.  He was charged with drink driving and is due to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 15 September.

A 26 year old man from Allhallows, Rochester was arrested at 20.13hours on 12 August on suspicion of drink driving in Park Drive, Leamington Spa after officers received reports of a collision where a car had driven into a bollard.  The driver failed a roadside breath test and was charged with drink driving to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 15 September.

A 43 year old man from Burbage, Hinckley was arrested at 00.22hours on 13 August on suspicion of drink driving in Tavistock Street, Leamington Spa after officers observed his manner of driving and he failed a roadside breath test.  He was later charged with drink driving to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 15 September.