Devon police road safety blitz sees 284 arrests

Chief Constable James Vaughan joined officers from the Roads Policing Team to discuss initiatives put in place to reduce road injuries and deaths on the roads across the force area. These initiatives underpin a proactive approach by the police to prevent accidents caused by motorists who take risks on the roads.

One of the initiatives is an operation known as Op Limit, a national month-long initiative aimed at warning drivers about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The police work in partnership with communities and encourage people to report suspected drink or drug drivers to the police.

As part of the December 2024 Op Limit campaign, Devon and Cornwall Police arrested 284 people on suspicion of drink or drug driving.

Of the 178 people arrested on suspicion of drink driving, 79 per cent were male and most offenders were aged between 17 and 45.

On Christmas day, 11 people were arrested on suspicion of drink driving (seven men males and four women) and one man was arrested after testing positive for cocaine at the roadside.

On New Years Eve and into the early hours of New Years Day, seven people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Chief Inspector Dean Drury, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “During December, we increased operational activity to catch drink and drug drivers who put other roads users at risk.

“While it is disappointing to see so many people arrested on suspicion of drink and drug drive related offences, I am pleased that our increased efforts to tackle those drivers has resulted in so many arrests and potential convictions.

“I would like to thank members of the public who called us to report a drink or drug driver. In December alone, our control room received 227 calls to report drivers suspected to be under the influence, and many of these calls led to arrests.

“This intelligence is really important and helps us to keep roads in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly safe for all road users. Our officers witness the aftermath of collisions all too often, from serious injuries to fatalities and the impact on those families, and so are entirely committed to catching and removing impaired drivers from our roads.”

The Roads Policing Team operates reactively to manage collisions and proactively supports planned operations. They also work alongside the No Excuse Team, a strategic team targeting offenders who contribute to the Fatal Five – the most common causes of deaths and serious collisions on the roads:

1. Not wearing a seatbelt.
2. Driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
3. Distraction, including mobile phone use.
4. Excessive or inappropriate speed.
5. Driving without due care and attention.

Supporting these efforts is the Force’s Road Casualty Reduction Team, which works in partnership with other agencies to deliver education and raise awareness among drivers and riders, particularly young and inexperienced ones. The team conducts specialist engagement days focused on crucial safety topics, including:

• Older driver safety
• Child car seat safety
• Agricultural vehicle safety

Additionally, the team oversees planned events and operations on Devon and Cornwall’s road network, aligning with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) guidelines.

By combining proactive policing, targeted campaigns like Op Limit, partnership working such as Vision Zero and educational outreach, the roads policing team is making progress in creating safer roads for all.

Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly, is chairman of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.

The Commissioner said: “Drink and drug drivers bring far too much death and injury to Devon and Cornwall. Until that ceases to be the case I will support robust enforcement of the law and continue working with others as part of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.

“My new police and crime plan has a specific focus on targeting criminality of all types on the roads. That’s because it matters to the residents of Devon and Cornwall who we serve. I am delighted that the Force has been so proactive in policing this issue and hope it serves as a warning to anyone else who might consider getting behind the wheel when they are unfit to drive.”

If you suspect someone of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please dial 999 immediately with the vehicle information and direction of travel. 
 
If you would like to share intelligence in relation to someone who regularly drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol, please call 101 or fill in an intelligence form on our website: www.dc.police.uk.