Over 50 arrests and fines as police patrol Wiltshire roads for drink drivers

Wiltshire police have caught dozens of people drink driving (Image: Getty) As many as 47 people have been arrested for drink or drug driving offences so far this month in Wiltshire. One of these arrests occurred on Tuesday morning when a van driver was stopped with a suspected overloaded vehicle on the M4.

Officers later found that the vehicle had no insurance leading to a roadside drug wipe which tested positive for cannabis. The driver was arrested and taken to custody. Sgt Neil Bott said: “This vehicle initially came to our attention due to it appearing to be overloaded.

“It also had multiple lighting defects and when officers stopped the vehicle they could smell cannabis immediately. The roads in Wiltshire are wet this morning, and to be driving a vehicle in such poor condition, with no insurance and under the influence of drugs is totally unacceptable and extremely dangerous.” Acting Inspector Will Ayres said: “Officers have been working hard to keep our roads as safe as possible over the festive period, when more people are out and about at Christmas parties perhaps consuming more alcohol than they normally would and then failing to plan their journey home in advance.

“Our message to these people is please don’t risk it – getting behind the wheel of your car having consumed alcohol or illegal drugs puts your life and the lives of other road users at risk.

“Please plan your journey home in advance if you know you are going to be drinking.”