Two drink or drug drivers arrested every day

More than 460 suspected drink or drug drivers have been arrested in Cambridgeshire so far this year as police warn motorists of the risks of driving under the influence.

At the start of a week-long drink and drug driving campaign, which begins on Monday (22 August) the force warns that doing so could destroy lives forever and it’s not just your life you’re putting at risk.

In March this year, drink driver Nathen Pearson tragically killed his brother after he hit him while driving over the legal limit. Detective Sergeant Mark Dollard, of the Beds, Cambs and Herts (BCH) Road Policing Unit, said of the case: “This is another case that shows the dangers and consequences of drink driving. Pearson left his house that night intending to protect his brother, but due to his alcohol consumption he did exactly the opposite and knocked him down.”

In June this year, officers stopped a woman who was swerving all over the road along the A1198. They discovered she was almost five times the legal drink drive limit and were even more alarmed to find she also had her young child in the car with her. She was handed a suspended sentence earlier this month and disqualified from driving for more than two years.

Det Sgt Dollard, said: “We run these initiatives on a regular basis, but still people continue to drive under the influence of drink and drugs. We will continue to do all we can to highlight the dangers of getting behind the wheel while under the influence.

“If drivers do so, not only do they risk their own lives but the lives of others as highlighted in heart-breaking cases across the county over the past few years.

“We say we can’t be everywhere but we could be anywhere, and we will continue to patrol the county’s roads looking to remove people who continue to drive under the influence.”

Roadside checks will also take place across the county.

Darryl Preston, Cambridgeshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Telling loved ones their relative has been killed is one of the hardest jobs in policing. There are still far too many serious injury and fatal incidents on our roads.

“Those who choose to take drugs or drink and drive are not only endangering themselves but are also risking the lives of others around them.”

Detective Sergeant Dollard added: “I’d also like to remind people that they can help us make the roads of Cambridgeshire safer by reporting others they suspect of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. You are our eyes and ears on the ground.

“We have a dedicated hotline and all calls are taken in confidence. One call could save many lives.”

The hotline: 0800 032 0845 is available 24/7. If someone is in immediate danger, always call 999.

For more information about drink or drug driving, the law and the dangers it can cause, visit the force's dedicated drink and drug drive advice page.