NEARLY 300 drivers were arrested across the county as part of a clampdown on drink drivers during the festive period.
Essex Police has revealed its roads policing officers arrested 296 drivers as part of its Christmas Drink Driving – Together We Can Stop It campaign.
Started on December 1, the force's Roads Policing Unit dedicated the month of December to focusing on clamping down on drink drivers.
A total of 142 drivers were arrested for drink driving, 113 drivers were arrested for drug driving and 41 drivers were arrested for failing to provide a specimen.
The number of drivers arrested for drink driving was up from 103 in 2022, while the number of drivers arrested for failing to provide a specimen was up from eight.
Essex’s head of roads policing, Adam Pipe said: “Our priority is, and always will be, to keep the roads moving and to be safe for all our road users.
“My officers will continue to work hard to tackle the road-related issues that affect our communities the most.
“Drink and drug driving is against the law, and yet each year, a number of drivers believe that they can get behind the wheel and drive safely.
"It’s not true – alcohol and drugs in your system impairs your reactions and you pose a danger to not only road users, but also to yourself.
“My Roads Policing officers arrested more drink drivers in December 2023 compared to the previous year, but we’re not complacent and recognise that this is an issue that doesn’t stop just because it’s a new year.
“They’ll continue to proactively patrol the roads, whether they’re the strategic main roads or the rural roads, to identify and target drink and drug drivers and take appropriate action to make sure all road users are safe.”
