Drink driver in Bromsgrove prosecuted during December police crackdown

A BROMSGROVE motorist was among nearly 300 apprehended during a crackdown on drink and drug driving across the three counties in December.

West Mercia Police supported a national drink and drug driving campaign during the festive month in a bid to come down hard on motorists willing to risk driving whilst under the influence.

The court case involving a Bromsgrove motorist involved a two vehicle road traffic collision in Barnt Green, Bromsgrove on November 19, 2023. Christopher Blair from Barnt Green was involved in the collision and drove off from the scene. He was traced to his home address shortly after where he failed a breath test.

He was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive through drink, driving whilst over the prescribed limit for alcohol and driving without valid insurance. Blair went to court on January 2, 2024 and pleaded guilty to all offences. As a result he was disqualified from driving for 4 years, required to carry out unpaid work for 120 hours and to pay court costs.

A total of 278 people were arrested across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire throughout December. In the last three years, 23 people have died and 154 have been seriously injured in collisions across the three counties - where alcohol has been listed as a contributory factory. A further 12 people have been killed and 68 seriously injured in collisions where drugs have been involved.

If driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink you may get six months' imprisonment, an unlimited fine, a driving ban for at least one year (three years if convicted twice in 10 years). Superintendent Steph Brighton for West Mercia Police said: "It's encouraging that the majority of people on the roads are behaving responsibly and most drivers wouldn't even think twice about getting behind the wheel after drinking. "However the number of arrests we have made in the run up to Christmas and New Year indicate that there are still people out there who think it is acceptable to risk mixing drinking or taking drugs with driving.

"Despite all the warnings 278 people are now starting the new year facing a possible court hearing, losing their licence and a fine."