Sussex Police start drink and drug driving Christmas campaign

While leaving the house at 6am to stand in a layby just off the A27 is not the most appealing part of the job, it was interesting to see the extra work that goes into helping keep our roads safe. Sussex Police said in the first week of their operation, they have caught around 50 drivers over the limit on drink or drugs out of 1,000 they have tested. We spoke with Chief Constable Jo Shiner and the roads policing unit’s superintendent Rachel Glenton about Operation Limit which takes place in December every year.

The Argus went to the A26 near the Cuilfail Tunnel in Lewes to see the operation first hand. The location is one of many which the force uses for its stop checks. CC Jo Shiner at the police checkpoint (Image: The Argus)

Chief Constable Jo Shiner said: “I know what it feels like to be in a family when you have lost a loved one on the roads. “My dad was killed on his way to work one morning and as a result of that, it has brought into real focus the misery for those family who are the victims of people dying or being seriously injured. “We know that people who drive under the influence of drink or drugs kill people.

“That’s a personal responsibility, a decision they make to get behind the wheel when they have had too much alcohol the night before, too much alcohol before driving or have been taking any kind of drugs. Dozens of vehicles were stopped and drivers spoken to and checked (Image: The Argus) “We of course do this all year round but we do have a particular focus this time of year.

People have Christmas parties and family celebrations so we know people are more likely to take a risk around Christmas and new year. “Be alert to the fact that if you drink the night before, you could be over the limit the next morning. Drugs stay in your system for months sometimes.

If you get convicted you could lose your job, you could lose your marriage. Don’t let that be you. Roads Policing Unit lead Rachel Glenton said: “We have static checks across the county at different times of the day, we also have mobile stop checks.

In the first week, we have stopped around 1,000 people in Sussex alone, around 50 were arrested for drink or drug driving offences.”