Nearly 300 drink or drug drivers arrested in Leeds and West Yorkshire during Christmas and New Year crackdown

A total of 288 people were arrested during the annual Christmas and New Year road safety campaign which ran from December 1 to January 1.

Among those to be caught was a man who was found driving under the influence of cocaine and without a license twice in four days. Another was a man found to be over the drink drive limit after a Road Policing officer came to assist with his broken down vehicle on the M1.

Of the 288 arrests, 196 people were arrested on suspicion of drink driving, while 92 were arrested for suspected drug driving.

New Years Day saw the highest total of arrests, with 18 people detained on suspicion of drink or drug driving.

The highest daily total of drink driving arrests was on December 7 with 13 arrested, while the highest daily total of drug driving arrests happened on December 14 with 7 arrested.

Some of those arrested have already been dealt with by the courts, as highlighted in the video below. These include:

• Driver stopped on December 3 on the M1 after going through a red X on the motorway and cutting into traffic. Found guilty of driving over the prescribed limit of alcohol on December 23 and banned from driving for 15 months.
• Driver found to be over the drink drive limit after a Roads Policing officer came to assist with his broken-down vehicle on the M1 on December 4. Found guilty on January 11 and banned from driving for 14 months.
• Driver stopped in Wakefield on December 10 and found to be over the drink drive limit. Disqualified on January 8 for 18 months.
• Driver stopped in Wakefield on December 14 with no licence, no insurance and tested positive for cocaine. Disqualified from driving on December 16, then stopped again two days later and arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified and drug driving.

Chief Inspector James Farrar, head of the Roads Policing Unit, said: “Over the festive period our officers have carried out hundreds of breath tests and drug wipes, proactively engaging with drivers and communities to educate them about the dangers. They have also acted swiftly and effectively when some drivers felt they could evade the police, including a number of pursuits to bring vehicles to a stop and keep other road users safe.

“If not stopped and arrested by our officers, each one of these drivers could have caused a tragedy and another family to lose a loved one. Some of those arrested have already been banned from driving, while many more will be facing court action and large fines in the coming weeks.

“I would like to thank all those responsible road users who made sure they had a designated driver, used public transport or took a taxi rather than get behind the wheel this Christmas. You are helping to keep West Yorkshire’s roads safe for everyone.

“Our activities will continue throughout the year, with my officers out on the road network day and night to ensure reckless and dangerous drivers are dealt with.”

The enforcement activity supports the West Yorkshire Vision Zero aim to reduce all road deaths and serious injuries in the county to zero by 2040.

Alison Lowe OBE, Chair of the West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “I am very thankful to the police for stopping these individuals.

“In West Yorkshire, around 100 people a year are seriously injured or killed because of drink and drug driving.

“Everyone should be safe on our roads. Those who show no regard for others and break the law will be caught and face the consequences.”