Author: marthampcclerk

More than 2,600 people were breathalysed in Norfolk and Suffolk during the Christmas drink drive campaign with 224 drivers failing.

The month-long campaign, launched on 1 December 2016, targeted drivers getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Additional patrols and roadside checks were carried out with Norfolk have a 6.2% fail rate while Suffolk’s was 10.7%.

In Norfolk 1,320 tests were carried out (424 following collisions) with 82 drivers providing positive readings (61 male and 21 female). Thirty-five drivers failed drug tests (32 male and 3 female).

In Suffolk 1,329 tests were carried out (450 following collisions) with 142 drivers providing positive readings (122 male and 20 female). Forty-three drivers failed drug tests (37 male and 6 female).

Chief Inspector Kris Barnard, head of the joint Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit, said: “It’s always disappointing to see that people are still prepared to take the risk and get behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs, although it is a minority.

“Dozens of people caught during the campaign would have started 2017 with a minimum 12 to 18 month driving ban, which will have massive implications on their professional and social lives.

“We target drink drivers all-year round and my plea to motorists considering getting behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs is don’t – it’s simply not worth the risk.”

During the 2015 campaign 3,349 drivers were tested with 262 drivers providing positive readings in total for both counties. In Norfolk 1,429 tests were carried out with 90 drivers failing while in Suffolk 1,920 tests were carried out with 172 drivers failing the test.

Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green, said: “It is clear some drivers still don’t grasp the fact that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous and unacceptable and a selfish thing to do. I attach great importance as Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner to keeping our roads safe by closely working with Norfolk Police and partner agencies.

“It is just not worth the risk and should not be tolerated by the community. We all have a part to play in keeping our roads safe. Do yourself a favour, do everyone else a favour and don’t drive under the influence of drink or drugs and don’t let your friends or family do so.”

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “Every Christmas our message is the same and every year sadly there are still drivers that do not take heed, I find this extremely disappointing.  It beggars belief that despite the obvious dangers, too many drivers still take to the road under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“All drivers need to understand that drink driving risks lives and the lives of others, it is grossly irresponsible and selfish.

“Too many people lose their lives on our roads and that’s why we have invested in extra roads policing – we’re doing all we can to keep our roads safe, we need everyone out on our county’s road to do the same.”

Members of the Special Constabulary will be teaming up with volunteers to tackle speeding drivers in and around Great Yarmouth.

Launched yesterday, Sunday 15 January, the Special Constabulary Speeding Team will see officers carry out roadside checks, complementing those carried out by Community Speed Watch (CSW) teams.

The team will focus their efforts on areas where speeding is raised as a concern and those not covered by CSW.

PC Hannah Gardiner, Great Yarmouth Engagement Officer, said: “Speeding is an issue often raised as a concern by local residents and this team will be able to complement checks already carried out by police and members of CSW.

“The team will carry out a leaflet drop in the immediate vicinity of where speed checks take place, updating local residents on the results and action we have taken.”

The Special Constabulary Speeding Team is one of a number of community policing projects being supported through Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green’s Early Intervention Fund.  The fund is open to policing teams across the county to help them work with communities to tackle local crime, disorder and community safety issues.

Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green, who attended the launch of a similar scheme by Specials in Poringland last month, added: “I am delighted to continue to support such a project and to see it embraced by police, volunteers and the wider community. It was fantastic to witness first-hand the work of the team in Poringland and is great to see such an initiative being extended across the Great Yarmouth area.

“Speeding is one of the fatal four, as well as drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone and this is a prime example of how, together, we are advancing the fight for improved road safety in Norfolk.

“The purpose of Speed Watch and the Special Constabulary Speeding Team is not to spoil our pleasure in responsible driving, but to protect us from unsafe driving. This is community spirit at its best – cooperation between Speed Watch volunteers and our police to keep our roads safe.”

Specials Manager Sue Goode said: “This is a great example of how our committed volunteers get to experience the world of policing while helping to support local communities and organisations such as Community Speed Watch. It’s pleasing to see the specials getting involved with local communities and help to address issues of concern.”

If you are interested in setting up or joining an existing Community Speed Watch group, please contact Great Yarmouth Engagement Officer PC Hannah Gardiner on 101.