Transport minister joins Sussex Police for drink and drug driving crackdown

Richard Holden MP visited Sussex’s Forensic Collision Unit in Shoreham and met with Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Chief Constable Jo Shiner, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne and members of the county’s specialised Roads Policing Unit.

The visit came just as the force launched their new roads campaign ‘Drink Driving – Together We Can Stop It’. The campaign encourages the public to prevent, persuade, and report drink-drivers to save lives.

It comes as officers from across the county have been working as part of Operation Limit, a nationwide campaign to catch offenders on our roads. In the first few weeks of the annual crackdown, over 100 drivers have been arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving.

During the visit, officers based at the Sussex Forensic Collision Investigation Unit showed the minister how they use cutting-edge technology to collect road data, imagery and evidence to aid investigations.

This includes brand new high-tech laser scanners which Sussex were the first police force in the country to secure. The scanners are able to reconstruct serious injury and fatal collisions.

Roads minister Richard Holden said: “It was great to meet Sussex Police and hear how they are cracking down on reckless motorists driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. We are taking action to improve road safety through our highly effective THINK! campaigns and review of roads policing.”

Mr Holden said there are an estimated 24,000 life-changing injuries and almost 1,700 deaths every year on our roads. Drink and drug driving play a huge role in these numbers. Adding on social media: “[Chief Constable Jo Shiner] and [Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne] are helping lead the crack down. “We’re going further to improve road safety via [THINK!] and roads policing review.

Mr Holden was also given a tour of a Sussex Roads Policing patrol car where officers explained the technologies available in their vehicles including the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system which allows them to proactively target known criminals using the road.

Before attending a drink-and-drug drive check point which saw officers stop several cars and carry out breath tests and roadside drug screenings, the minister spoke to officers about Sussex’s joint initiative – Operation Crackdown.

Run by the Safer Sussex Roads Partnership and Sussex Police, Op Crackdown gives the Sussex community an opportunity to report specific instances of anti-social driving/riding as well as any abandoned vehicles left on the roads.

During October and November, 154 Notice of Intended Prosecution letters have been sent out to drivers who have been caught on submitted dashcam footage, not using the county’s roads safely.

Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner and Road Safety Lead for the Association of PCCs Katy Bourne said: “The visit was a perfectly timed opportunity to show the Minister the great work that goes on here in Sussex to make our roads safer.

“Road deaths should not be inevitable; they are preventable and it is vital we educate and inform the public about road safety and get dangerous drivers off our roads.

“It is important that Sussex Police teams have access to state-of-the-art technologies so they can continue to work on an intelligence-led basis, understanding trends and behaviours and getting a clear picture of why people are killed or seriously injured on the roads.

“Here in Sussex, we want all roads users to know that, if you’re an irresponsible driver, you will be caught and have to face the consequences - it is simply a matter of time."

Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: “We were pleased to welcome Roads Minister Richard Holden to Sussex, and demonstrate the outstanding work of our officers and staff policing the county’s roads.

“Already this December we have seen more than 100 arrests of drink and drug-drivers as part of our annual Op Limit campaign. But we are policing the roads 24/7, every day of the year, and while officers can’t be everywhere, they could be anywhere.

“We are determined to catch offenders and prevent them causing serious harm to themselves or other road users.”

Earlier this month, Sussex Police issued advice to residents on how they can help prevent drink driving and reminded people of the consequences.

The advice given to residents included: pre-booking a taxi before a night out, agreeing with friends or loved ones to attend a venue where you can all walk to, or agree to have a designated driver for the night who does not drink alcohol, by offering a lift with a designated driver, offering someone a place to stay, booking them a taxi, or taking a drunk driver’s keys off them.

But if you are unable to prevent or persuade a drink-driver, the public are urged to report them to the police by dialling 999.

According to Sussex Police, the consequences of drink or drug-driving could include the following: A minimum 12 month ban; An unlimited fine; A possible prison sentence; A criminal record, which could affect your current and future employment; An increase in your car insurance; Trouble travelling to countries such as the USA; You could also kill or seriously injure yourself or someone else.