Half of drivers charged after roadside tests

Police said it was "disappointing" after half of drivers tested for drink and drugs over the Christmas and new year period were charged.

Nottinghamshire Police said its December Deadly Mix campaign had seen 168 roadside alcohol and drug tests carried out leading to 84 people being charged with criminal offences.

Two drivers, one in Mapperley and one in Aspley, were more than four times the legal limit of 35mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath and will appear in court in February, the force said.

However, the number was lower than the 109 charges following the previous year's campaign, and the 223 people arrested in 2022.

Chief Insp James Walker said it was "reassuring" that the "vast majority of drivers do behave in a responsible way".

The campaign was timed to coincide with the festive period , traditionally a time when motorists are more likely to consume alcohol, said the force.

As well as enforcement, roadshow events were held to engage with people enjoying a night out and warn them of the dangers of driving under the influence.

Officers were patrolling in "collision hotspot areas", carrying out roadside tests on drivers they engaged with and testing motorists involved in crashes.

"Police officers regularly have to deal with the tragic consequences of fatal road traffic collisions and the lives torn apart by them," said Ch Insp James Walker of Nottinghamshire Police.

"Ultimately we can never know the real-world impact of this kind of operation, but if we have prevented even a single fatality or serious injury over the last few weeks then this work will have been worthwhile."

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