Sussex police chief says there is a ‘much higher likelihood’ of drink drivers being stopped and arrested as focus on driving offences continues

A two-week crackdown on drink/drug driving across Sussex has seen 83 people arrested.
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The figures – and the behaviour of those caught – were described as ‘really disappointing’ by Chief Constable Jo Shiner, who warned of the severe consequences of getting behind the wheel while under the influence.

During a meeting with Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne, Chief Constable Shiner said much of the information used during the July crackdown had been provided by members of the public.

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Urging people to keep on reporting those who broke the law, she said there was no excuse for not knowing it is illegal to drink and drive.

Police are targeting drink driversPolice are targeting drink drivers
Police are targeting drink drivers

She added: “The consequences [are] that obviously you can kill or injure yourself or some one else – and of course that could be a member of your family.

“[You could get] a minimum 12 month ban, unlimited fine, potential prison sentence – and we’re seeing more sentences being handed out – a criminal record which could affect your current and future employment and certainly would impact on you travelling to countries such as the USA, and of course the car insurance cost increase.

“There are such significant implications of people drink driving when you can call a taxi.”

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Mrs Bourne said it was ‘depressing that that many people think they can get away with it’.

Figures from the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership show there were 588 reports of drink or drug driving across Sussex in 2019/20.

Last year, there were 289 crashes involving a drink-driver which resulted in one or more people being hurt.

Of those crashes, four were fatal.

Chief Constable Shiner said Sussex Police would ‘never ever take the focus off drink or drug driving or any of the other offences and focusses that we have around road policing’.

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There are currently five main focus points – drink/drug driving, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone, and careless or inconsiderate driving.

She added: “There is definitely a much higher likelihood if you are choosing to drink and drive of you being stopped and obviously if you fail the test then you’ll be arrested.”

If you know some one is driving while drunk or on drugs, dial 999. You can also contact Operation Crackdown via www.operationcrackdown.org .

Karen Dunn , Local Democracy Reporting Service