West Midlands Police launches summer drink & drug drive campaign - here’s why

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Officers are setting up patrols for night time drinking - and for people who could be over the limit in the morning

West Midlands Police has launched a summer campaign to stop drink and drug driving in the region. They are cracking down on motorists who choose to drive despite being drunk or drive the next morning even when they are over the limit after a heavy night.

This is part of a national week-of-action from Monday to catch offenders, and also highlight the life-changing dangers of driving after drinking or taking drugs.

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The targeted and intelligence-led operation is being led through roads policing officers, Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) and support of other teams.

Here is what they will be doing to keep our roads safe:

Safe driving on UK’s roads Safe driving on UK’s roads
Safe driving on UK’s roads | Sergi Kabrera on Unsplash

If the police teams suspect you of being under the influence they can stop you and carry out breath or drug tests.

If the breath or drug tests show you to be driving under the influence, you could face penalty points, losing your licence or spending time behind bars. If you are not under the influence then you will be free to go.

When is it illegal to drive?

It is illegal to drive or be in control of a vehicle when the level of alcohol in your body is above the legal limit - the legal alcohol limit in England is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

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It is illegal to drive if you are unfit to do so because of drink or drugs (including illegal and legal prescription drugs).

It is illegal to drive if you have specified levels of illegal drugs in your body - even if they don’t affect your driving. Attempting to drive is also illegal in these conditions.

It is illegal to be in charge of a motor vehicle while drunk.

Why is this campaign important?

Road safety charity Brake’s data shows that when you are just over the alcohol legal limit, you are still six times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than someone who has drunk nothing.

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Other research suggests a combination of drinks, drugs and driving is a lethal cocktail that means you’re more than 20 times more likely to be involved in a deadly collision.

An estimated 6,480 people were killed or injured in drink-drive accidents in 2020, a fall of 17% from 2019, according to government data.

Drink and drug driving prevention campaignDrink and drug driving prevention campaign
Drink and drug driving prevention campaign | West Midlands Police

What has West Midlands police said about the campaign in their own words?

Sergeant Mark Bull, from Road Harm Prevention Team, said: “We know it’s coming to the end of summer and you may want to go out and have a few drinks while enjoying the warm weather. But if you do, it’s important you don’t take your car keys with you.

“By getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol you’re putting the lives of yourself, any passengers, other road users and pedestrians at risk.

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“Remember, you can still be over-the-limit the next morning. Drugs can also seriously impair your judgement when driving. This week-of-action aims to crackdown on illegal and reckless drivers, and forms part of our wider ongoing work to keep the roads as safe as possible every day of the year.”

West Midlands Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner Tom McNeil added: “West Midlands Police has my full support ahead of the summer drink and drug drive enforcement campaign. It is never acceptable to get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence. People who do that are putting lives at risk.

“Officers have the full support of both myself and Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster. I’m really pleased to see West Midlands Police proactively target the issue, to prevent the tragic loss of life and the chaos that leaves behind.”

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