More than 50 drivers arrested during World Cup Roads Policing Operation

With England's latest match kicking off at a more sociable hour, many supporters enjoyed the game with family and friends. However, Durham Constabulary is reminding motorists that if you've been drinking or taking drugs, you should never get behind the wheel – even the following morning if you may still be over the limit.

While some may question drink and drug driving enforcement, the facts speak for themselves.

A driver at the legal alcohol limit is 13 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than a sober driver. At twice the legal limit, that risk increases to 50 times more likely.

Since the launch of Durham Constabulary's World Cup roads policing operation, officers from Durham Roads & Armed Policing Unit have carried out hundreds of roadside breath and drug tests during proactive stop checks.

So far, 58 drivers have been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs, including 24 drug drivers and 18 drink drivers.

Among those arrested was a 43-year-old woman involved in a collision who recorded a breath test reading of 148 while in custody. A 49-year-old man also returned a reading of 143.

Perhaps most concerning was a 42-year-old woman who recorded a breath test result of 73 while driving with her 10-year-old daughter in the vehicle.

Officers have also stopped several motorists who returned breath test readings close to 100.

Those arrested now face appearing before the courts, losing their driving licences and potentially their livelihoods. They are, however, among the fortunate ones, because they survived. For many families affected by drink and drug driving, that is not the outcome.

Drink and drug driving continues to devastate lives and remains one of the leading causes of fatal and serious collisions on our roads.

Drink and drug driving kills. Don’t risk it.