Thirteen arrested during drug driving crackdown in Cumbria
Police in Cumbria arrested 13 drivers as part of a crackdown on drug driving.
This was part of a national operation which ran from August 23-29, which was run by the National Police Chiefs Council.
Officers screened 91 people for drugs with 13 those resulting in an arrest for being over the prescribed limit or unfit through drink and drugs.
Sergeant Martin Bainbridge from the force's Mobile Support Group said:
Police in Cumbria take part in national campaign against drug driving
Cumbrian police deal with more than 70 road offences in two-week campaign
He added: “Weeks of action such as these are important to raise awareness of the issue of drug driving which doesn’t get the publicity that drink driving gets.
“If you are impaired in any way through drink and drugs please, do not drive.
“If you suspect someone of drink or drug driving please contact us, your call could save their life or the life of another innocent road user”
Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, described those who droive under the influence "selfish".
He added: “The 13 drivers that were arrested had not only put their own lives at risk but also the lives of innocent drivers, passengers and pedestrians and they will have to live with this fact for the rest of their lives.
“There is never a good excuse to get behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence - even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can affect judgement, lower our inhibitions and reaction time and driving while intoxicated is a selfish and inexcusable act.
“This week long operation is just an example of what the Police do year-round as they are out patrolling our roads and if you drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs you are very likely to be caught, it is not worth the risk.
“The message is clear: drive sober, drive carefully and make it home safe.”
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