Zero tolerance for drink driving

This December, Essex Police will be taking part in a national campaign to stop drink and drug driving. There will be zero tolerance for anyone caught driving under the influence.

Our Roads Policing Unit officers will be carrying out targeted patrols across Essex to keep our roads safe and identify those who are suspected of breaking the law by driving above the legal limits and placing all our road users at risk of their behaviour. Throughout the month, we’ll be working with the Safer Essex Roads Partnership to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing, said:

Driving under the influence has been a key factor in some of the most serious collisions on Essex’s roads this year.
My officers continue to see a worryingly high number of people who think it is acceptable to get behind the wheel with alcohol or drugs in their system. Both can stay in your system much longer than you think so you may not even realise you’re over the limit.
My message is clear – if you drink or drug drive, you can expect to be stopped and arrested.
If you’re arrested you could lose your licence and that could mean you lose your job. If you lose your job, you could lose your home. And that could mean you lose your family.
Even more than that you could lose your life or be responsible for taking someone else’s.
It is simply not worth it. Please, this Christmas THINK! about yourself, your loved ones, and other people on the road.

Driving after drinking is dangerous and illegal. It slows your reactions, affects your judgement, and puts lives at risk – yours and everyone else’s. Drug driving is just as serious. Both mean,

• You could cause a crash and seriously injure or kill someone.
• You risk being arrested, losing your licence, and facing a court appearance.
• You could ruin lives – including your own.

Plan ahead this Christmas and if you’re going out, decide how you’ll get home before you start drinking. Use a taxi, public transport, or a designated driver. Don’t let friends drive after drinking – make sure everyone gets home safely.

Throughout December, our message is simple:

• We will use every power we have to stop drink and drug drivers.
• If you suspect someone is driving under the influence, tell us. Your information helps us target hotspots and take offenders off the road.

This Christmas, our confidential “Report It” function will allow you to discreetly flag concerns about anyone you believe may be considering driving under the influence.

Drink and drug driving is selfish, reckless, and completely avoidable. Let’s work together to keep Essex safe this Christmas.

We're offering more ways for our communities to stay up to date with our work across Essex.

Our e-newsletter, Dispatch, delivers news, information, and advice from Essex Police.

Dispatch is a ‘one stop shop’ for local police news – direct from the source. 

Sign up is completely free and you can unsubscribe at any time.