Police plan festive drinking and driving crackdown

During last year’s December operation, officers from the force road’s policing unit carried out 654 breath tests and made 63 arrests for drink driving and 84 for drug driving.

Insp Stabler said officers targeted drink and drug drivers every day, but “we know that the temptation is greatest at this time of year”.

“That is why it is so important for people to make plans for getting home in advance of going out,” he said.

Motorists driving while over the limit can be fined, banned from driving or jailed.

Those who kill someone whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be jailed for life.

Cumbria deputy police, fire and crime commissioner Mike Johnson said those who flout the law in this way are “incredibly selfish”.

“Not only does the driver place their own life at risk, but they endanger the lives of innocent drivers, passengers and pedestrians as well,” he said.

He called on people to report to police those driving while drunk or on drugs.