Effective crackdown on drink and drug driving

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has praised roads policing officers across Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight for their annual month-long campaign targeting drink and drug driving.

The Constabulary made a total of 322 arrests during Operation Limit which ran throughout December 2024 with 152 motorists arrested on suspicion of drink driving and 170 arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

The figures are an increase on December 2023 when a total of 301 arrests were made across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The December 2024 initiative is the third year of running the annual campaign which is co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) to tackle drink and drug driving and make the country’s roads safer.

PCC Donna Jones said: “Deaths and serious injuries that occur on our roads leave families heartbroken and devastated. Criminals who take to the road while under the influence of drink or drugs endanger the lives of innocent road users as well as risking their own lives. They must feel the full force of the law.

“Challenge those you believe to be impaired. Report them to the police if you’re concerned. It only takes a split second for tragedy to strike.”

Road safety is one of the priorities in the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan. Key commitments include holding the Chief Constable to account for an effective response to drink and drug driving, and working with partners to continue to identify opportunities to promote road safety to reduce death and serious injuries.

PCC Donna Jones added: “There is never an excuse for being impaired while driving. Plan your night out and have a designated driver, rely on family or friends, or get a taxi.”

You can read the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan at Police & Crime Plan 2024 – 2028 – Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner