Drug driving arrests outstrip drinking offences

A total of 140 people were arrested for drug driving in December, nearly double the number of drink driving arrests during the same period.

Figures published by Surrey Police as part a month-long winter crackdown on drink and drug driving reveal that officers made 196 arrests -140 for drug driving and 84 for drink driving.

The overlap in numbers accounts for some people being arrested on suspicion of both offences.

Surrey Police said these results show that drug driving is becoming more prominent than drink driving in the county.

As part of Operation Limit, officers conducted increased patrols and set up random stop check sites along busy roads to provide a visible deterrent to offenders.

A driver who tried to do a U-turn to avoid a check site in Guildford was among the arrests.

Another driver and passenger were detained at a check site in Hersham after a vehicle search uncovered a large amount of cash and Class A, B, and C drugs.

A total of 8,847 vehicles were stopped and checked during December - up from 5,023 in the previous year's campaign.

Superintendent Rachel Glenton, head of roads policing for Surrey and Sussex, said: "This year we have stopped more vehicles and made more arrests than ever before.

"That is a testament to the professionalism of our officers who work to keep our roads safe."

Of the 474 drug wipe tests carried out, 140 returned a positive result.

A total of 2,310 breath tests were carried out - 84 were positive, refused, or the person failed to provide a sample.

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