More than 200 drink and drug driving arrests were made during December as part of Cumbria Constabulary’s road safety operation - Operation Limit.
Officers stopped almost 3,000 vehicles in total and made 206 arrests on suspicion of drink or drug driving, being unfit or failing to provide.
Of those arrested, 120 were on suspicion of driving whilst over the limit for drugs and 45 on suspicion of driving whilst over the limit for alcohol. A further 41 were arrested either failing to provide or Section 4 driving or attempting to drive whilst unfit.
The operation was led by officers from the Constabulary’s dedicated Roads Policing Unit (RPU).
Inspector Jack Stabler of the RPU said: “Whilst the Christmas arrest figures always make headlines, our officers are committed to ridding Cumbria’s roads of dangerous drink and drug drivers 365 days a year.
“Those selfish individuals who make the choice to get behind the wheel whilst unfit through drink or drugs are putting lives at risk and, as we begin the New Year I would urge people to do their bit and report anyone they suspect of drink or drug driving so our officers can take action.”
The operation coincided with zero fatal road traffic collisions on the county’s roads throughout the whole of December. In December 2023, four people lost their lives on our roads.
As well as the arrests, officers also issued 114 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) and made more than 100 stop and searches.
The operation also received more than 100 intelligence submissions from the public.
Inspector Stabler said: “We’re encouraged by the support from the public via intelligence submissions. Stopping drink and drug drivers is not just a job for police officers but something we can all be active about, from being a good friend and intervening if a friend who is unfit attempts to get behind the wheel to reporting dangerous drivers putting the lives of road users at risk.
“We can all work together to stop dangerous drivers causing avoidable tragedy in 2025.”
The 2024 Operation Limit saw a significant increase (46 per cent) in drivers being arrested for drug driving, whilst drink driving arrests fell by 23 per cent.
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “There is absolutely no excuse to drink or be under the influence of drugs and then drive.
“All too often, lives are lost because of drunk and drugged drivers. Whilst the majority of people arrange lifts, organise a designate a driver, take a taxi or use public transport – there are still those who take risks, break the law and put themselves and others at significant risk.
“Like drink-driving, getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence of drugs can have catastrophic and life-changing, or even life-ending, consequences.
“The Police are now better able than ever before to detect drug driving offences and get drivers who are unfit to be behind the wheel due to drug misuse, off the road before they harm themselves or others.
“Not just at Christmas, but throughout the year, the Police will continue to target anyone who puts the lives of other road users at risk.
“I would ask - If you know anyone who is driving or intends to drive under the influence of drink or drugs, I urge you to report them, either to the police or to Crimestoppers if you’d prefer to remain anonymous. It’s about personal responsibility and keeping ourselves, friends and family safe and in respect of this everyone is accountable.”