The Met Police is stepping up efforts to detect and arrest those who drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs – with extra patrols taking place over the festive period.
As part of a new campaign, which launched on 11 December, all drivers who are stopped for a moving traffic offence will take a roadside test – as will those involved in any road traffic collision.
The Met Police says its officers are now better equipped than ever to detect and penalise those drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
In the year 2018/2019, the force made 6,392 arrests for drink driving and 2,532 for drug driving.
Chief supt Colin Wingrove, who leads the Met’s Roads and Transport Command, said: “All year round, officers continue to arrest and prosecute people in London who risk the lives of others and themselves by driving vehicles whilst under the influence of drink or drugs – not just at Christmas.
“However, some motorists are selfish and think that during the festivities, it is ok to drive whilst under the influence.
“Londoners and people visiting or working in the Capital will see extra patrols in the mornings and evenings by officers who will be stopping vehicles where they believe the driver is under the influence of drink or drugs.”
The campaign is being supported by TfL – whose statistics show between 2016-18, there were 482 people killed or seriously injured from collisions recorded as involving drink or drugs.
Mandy McGregor, head of transport policing and community safety at TfL, said: “We want all Londoners to be safe over the festive period. Don’t risk your life or the lives of others by driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Shockingly, our research shows that 13% of drivers think it is acceptable to drive whilst above the legal alcohol limit and 14% also think it is acceptable to drive under the influence of drugs.
“It isn’t and we are working with the Met Police to crack down on the drivers that do.”
13 December 2019