SOMERSET NEWS: More than 100 arrested for drink and drug driving in Christmas campaign

POLICE are urging motorists to keep heeding the “don’t drink or drugs drive” message as the Christmas and New Year festivities continue.

Since the Operation Tonic campaign began on December 1, 2014, police have carried out stop checks across Avon and Somerset to educate and deter drivers and to test those believed to under the influence.

A total of 3,676 drivers have been stopped and spoken to and 106 arrested, of which 54 so far have been charged and named.

Last year, from December to the end of the New Year break, 144 drivers were charged.

Police have also received 352 calls from people reporting suspected drink-drivers, about the same as this time last year.

Road Safety Superintendent Richard Corrigan said: “The figures are encouraging so far because they show that we have been very active across the force, educating, enforcing and spreading the word that drink or drug driving is a serious crime that will not be tolerated.

“The figures also seem to indicate that drivers seem to be heeding that message. We want people to carry on being law-abiding and responsible, and help make our roads safer for all not just at this time but throughout 2015 and beyond.”

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