More than 110 arrested for drink or drug driving during Euros

More than 110 people were arrested for drink or drug driving during the Euros in County Durham and Darlington.

Officers from Durham Constabulary have been carrying out drink and drug drive checks across the county during the tournament, which ran from June 14 to July 14.

More than 800 checks were carried out at various locations, with 114 drivers being arrested for drink and drug driving over the 30 days.

Of these, 54 were arrested for drink driving, 52 for drug driving, and eight for failing to provide a sample of breath or saliva.

Car safety checks were also carried out during the stops, which identified defects with several vehicles.

The checks will continue throughout the summer as part of Operation Spotlight – a national operation to make our roads safer for everyone.

The operation focuses on the four biggest factors in collisions where people are killed or seriously injured: driving under the influence of drink or drugs, mobile phone use, speeding and not wearing a seatbelt.  They are known collectively as the Fatal Four.

Inspector Paul Ryans, from Durham Roads and Armed Policing Unit, said: “The feedback we’ve had so far from motorists during these checks has been overwhelmingly positive. 

“We want to make County Durham and Darlington’s roads as safe as possible, and a big part of this is taking drivers off the road who choose to drive a vehicle while under the influence of drink or drugs.

“This behaviour is not only selfish and reckless, but it could potentially kill someone – either yourself or another innocent road user.

“Please, don’t become our next statistic. If you know someone who drives under the influence, do the right thing and report them.”

Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Joy Allen, said that driving under the influence of drink or drugs shows a blatant disregard for human life.

“Just last week we have heard the tragic case of eight-month-old Zackary Blades and his auntie, 30-year-old Karlene Warner, who were killed when Darryl Anderson drove a car while nearly three times over the legal limit for alcohol,” she said. 

“A car in the wrong hands is a lethal weapon and zero tolerance is the only solution in town.

“I want to see more enforcement on the roads to deter drink and drug drivers. Drivers need to know that there is a very real risk of being caught if they attempt to drive under the influence. This will also have an impact on drug use such as cannabis and cocaine. It’s shocking that, nationally, figures show that of those stopped during Operation Limit 48% tested positive for drugs. It is utterly unacceptable to drive on our roads under the influence of drink or drugs and I am determined to deter those who continue to risk it.”