Police promise illegal Christmas driving crackdown

A police officer has urged drivers not to take the risk of drink or drug-driving over Christmas and the New Year.

Sgt Rob Oliver-Clayson, of Thames Valley Police's (TVP) Roads Policing Unit, urged people to think about their and others' safety before getting behind the wheel.

TVP and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary are taking part in Operation Limit, a national campaign which runs throughout December in an effort to reduce deaths and serious injuries on roads caused by drink and drug-driving.

"In roads policing we see the worst of it. We will go to collisions where people have been killed because someone was driving while they were impaired," Sgt Oliver-Clayson said.

"There are people who go out and think 'it's Christmas, I'll get away with it, the police won't catch me,' ultimately we will."

More than 800 people were arrested in December 2023 by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and TVP, the forces said.

"Plan ahead. If it gets to the point that you have been drinking and you had planned to drive home, don't. Get a taxi, bus, any form of public transport - or ask a friend to give you a lift. Just don't drive," Sgt Oliver-Clayson added.

"We don't want you to come to harm or anyone else to come to harm because you were driving."