Over half of weekend arrests for drink or drug driving
Last weekend, nine of the 16 people arrested in Powys were charged with drink or drug driving, a percentage of 56.25%, highlighting why the roads policing officers are cracking down on dangerous drivers.
Inspector for Specialist Operations Andy Williams said: “Unfortunately, we have seen a dramatic rise in arrests over the past 12 months, with the number of drug driving incidents surpassing drink driving.
“We are putting this down to increased detection rates, and the highly proactive work of our Roads Policing Unit officers across the force, who are doing all they can to ensure these dangerous drivers are taken off the road.”
Insp Williams explained when drivers would be tested for having alcohol or drugs in their system.
“There are various scenarios in which we have cause to carry out a drug swipe or breath test,” he said.
“We might pull a vehicle over due to the way it is being driven, if it shows on our system as having no tax or insurance, or if it has been involved in a crash.
“Officers are well attuned to the signs that a driver could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and closely monitor the behaviour of the driver in these situations.
“They make an assessment on whether a test is needed, and just like doing a breath test at the roadside, they can carry out a drug wipe which will give an indication within minutes that someone has an illegal substance in their system.
“If this is the case, they are taken to custody where a blood sample is taken for analysis and use in subsequent prosecutions.”
The weekend’s drug drive arrests saw positive indications of drivers with cocaine and cannabis in their system, with male and female drivers ranging from 18 to 55 old arrested.
“One incident over the weekend saw officers respond to reports of a collision in Powys where a car had landed on its roof,” he added.
“The driver was displaying behaviour which indicated that he had taken drugs, so a test was carried out once officers we drug swiped, with a positive reading at the roadside.
“Fortunately he was not seriously injured, but the outcome could have been very different.”
Friday, Sept 25 – Sunday, Sept 27:
POWYS:
16 arrests in three days
6 drug drive
3 drink drive
56.25%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|