Skip to content

Police team up for drink and drug driving campaign

BBC Police officers conducting roadside checks for drug and drink driving on the A59 at Robin Island on vehiclesBBC
Lancashire and Merseyside Police forces say they will be conducting roadside checks "day and night" throughout the crackdown

Lancashire and Merseyside police forces have teamed up to launch a joint annual crackdown on drink and drug driving in the run up to Christmas.

They "kickstarted" the joint operation with roadside spot checks at Robin Island, Maghull, Merseyside, on the county border, warning they will be running more "at all times of the day and night".

They hope it will send a clear message to drivers that "nowhere is safe when it comes to driving under the influence".

Clive Grunshaw Lancashire police and crime commissioner, said: "Our message to drink and drug drivers is clear – get help or get caught."

It coincides with the national Operation Limit campaign throughout December, aimed at reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured in crashes over the festive season.

Lancashire police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw wearing a hi-vis jacket at the A59 at Robin Island where roadside checks for drink and drug driving are taking place
Mr Grunshaw said drink and drug driving are unacceptable and anyone who does so "should feel the full force of the law"

The forces warned they will be running roadside spot checks at all times of the day and night across Lancashire and Merseyside to demonstrate "there is no safe time or place to drive under the influence".

Ch Insp Stuart McIver, of Merseyside Police, said the cross-border operation would result in a far more accurate representation of the realities of the problem.

"Someone may well be waking up after a Christmas do in Ormskirk, unfit to drive, but still getting behind the wheel and heading off to work in Southport – or vice versa."

Ch Insp Matt Wilmott wearing black glasses and a hi-vi jacket with his Lancashire Police uniform
Ch Insp Matt Wilmott says drug driving is a particular problem as drugs remain in the body's system so long

Mr Grunshaw said: "Drink and drug driving are unacceptable and anyone who selfishly puts other road users' lives at risk should feel the full force of the law."

Ch Insp Matt Wilmott from Lancashire Police said drug driving is a very dangerous and people may be unaware how long drugs remain in body's system.

He said: "If people have taken drugs and the next day they feel fine they assume the drugs are not in their system... but actually drugs stay in the system a lot longer [than alcohol]."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [email protected] and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.