Over 150 motorists suspected of drink or drug driving caught in summer blitz
More than 150 drink - and drug- drive suspects have been caught during a summer blitz on motorists who put lives at risk.
Throughout June, West Midlands Police and the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) ran roadside checkpoints and patrolled in unmarked vehicles to catch offenders.
They also acted on tip-offs from members of the public reporting suspected drink -drivers, police intelligence on likely drink - drive 'risk takers', and venues where drink driving is thought to be prevalent.
In total, 211 people were arrested of which 129 have been charged and 30 are on bail pending results of blood samples.
They included a London man, from Hayes End, arrested at Park Circus during evening rush hour on June 21 having been spotted driving erratically on the M6 and Aston Expressway.
It's alleged the 22-year-old was almost three times the drink drive limit; he was charged and is set to appear before Birmingham magistrates on July 20.
Officers from the Central Motorway Police Group ? an alliance of West Midlands, West Mercia and Staffordshire Police ? carried out 259 breath tests during the month resulting in 69 drink - drive arrests, including seven who'd been involved in collisions.
CMPG Chief Inspector Jed White, said: "More than a quarter of all the motorists my officers stopped were found over the legal alcohol limit…it shows we're targeting the right people and not unfairly inconveniencing innocent motorists.
"Our approach is intelligence-led, targeting people and vehicles we believe to be drink - drive risk takers…and it's working as our 'hit rate' on arresting drink -drivers is way above the national average."
For the first time on a dedicated operation officers were armed with mobile drug testing kits allowing them to carry out quick-time assessments on people suspected of being under the influence of cannabis and cocaine.
Of the 211 arrests, 11 were under the new law of driving under the influence of a specified drug, while 14 motorists were arrested for driving while unfit through drugs.
West Midlands Police Superintendent Kerry Blakeman, from Force Traffic, said: "Like with drink -driving, every person who gets behind the wheel of a car under the influence of drugs is a danger to themselves and others.
"Drivers need to remember the potentially life-changing consequences of drug-driving, such as fines, penalty points, jail time or even the loss of livelihood if you work somewhere where an offence like this can lead to dismissal.
"Don't take the risk…it's not worth it and you will be caught."
