It’s been another busy time for officers on the look out for drink and drug driving acropss the city and county.
One man stoped in Ryedale was almost four times over the limit – the highest breathalyser reading recorded during the police campaign. He was banned from driving until Summer 2023, given a curfew and ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work.
Another man in Scarborough was arrested twice in the same week on suspicion of drug driving.
Regional breakdown: Drink & drug driving arrests, 01.12.20 – 01.01.21
| Richmond | 6 |
| Harrogate | 31 |
| York | 26 |
| Selby | 15 |
| Scarborough | 37 |
| Ryedale | 9 |
| Hambleton | 9 |
| Craven | 10 |
During the campaign, which ran between 1 December and 1 January, police patrolled community roads, main routes and country lanes across North Yorkshire around the clock.
They also acted on information supplied by members of the public, which led to a number of arrests during the campaign.
Roads Policing Group Sergeant Andy Morton said: “It’s very concerning that despite us warning drink drivers we’d catch them, so many ignored these warnings. They risked it and now they are facing the consequences.
As everyone else anticipates getting back to some kind of normality in 2021, these motorists will be adjusting to life without a driving licence.”
Sgt Morton added: “I’d also like to thank members of the public who called us to report suspected drink drivers this year – we acted on the information and arrests were made as a direct result of these calls.”
Around 50 suspected drink or drug drivers have so far been dealt with by the courts or given court dates. All those convicted face a minimum of a year disqualified from driving, a criminal record and large fines.
During this year’s campaign, the number of arrests rose slightly compared to the same period last year, when there were 137 arrests (4% increase).
A total of 29 arrests were as a result of collisions, 25 of which involved suspected drink drivers and four of which related to suspected drug driving.
Police say Hlep us stop drink and drug driving. If you know someone who does it, call us on 101 and select option 1. If it’s happening now, phone 999.