Public contacts police to report suspected drink drivers

As the NPCC Christmas anti drink and drug driving operation gets underway, Warwickshire Police would like to thank the members of the public who contacted them to report suspected drink drivers.

• A 34 year old man from Coventry was arrested on suspicion of failing to provide a specimen at 23:37hours on Friday 25 November 2022 in Tamworth Road, Fillongley after several members of the public called police to report a Mercedes parked up with full beam on at the location. Officers attended and found the man in the driver's seat. He refused to provide a breath test and was charged to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 20 January 2023.
• A 39 year old man from Coventry was arrested at 01:28 on Saturday 26 November 2022 in Exhall Road, Keresley on suspicion of drink driving after a member of the public called the police because they had observed the man driving his Saab. He was later charged with drink driving to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 20 January 2023.

• A 19 year old man from Coventry was arrested at 04:08 hours on Sunday 27 November 2022 on Stoneleigh Road, Stoneleigh when his Range Rover was stopped by officers who had received intelligence. He failed a roadside breath test and was charged with drink driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance. He is due to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 20 January 2023.

As well as encouraging the public to report the details of suspected drink or drug drivers to them by calling 101 or in an emergency 999, Warwickshire Police are also asking all drivers who are involved in a collision to provide a roadside breath test and drug swipe including:-

•  A 42 year old man from Nuneaton was arrested at 00:57hours on Sunday 27 November 2022 on the High Street in Bedworth when unfortunately he reversed his Vauxhall Astra outside Bedworth police station and drove in to a police van. Officers got out and spoke to the man who provided a positive roadside breath test. He was charged with drink driving and will appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 20 January 2023.
• A 31 year old man from Stretton under Fosse was arrested on suspicion of drink driving at 00:24hours on Saturday 26 November in Overslade Lane, Rugby when officers were called to a single vehicle collision involving a Jeep. On arrival officers spoke to the driver who failed a road side breath test and was later charged to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 20 January 2023.

• A 21 year old man from Evesham was arrested on suspicion of drink driving at 02:46hours on Saturday 26 November 2022 in Chestnut Walk, Stratford upon Avon after police were called to a collision in Broad Street, Stratford where a Ford Fiesta had collided with parked vehicles. He failed a roadside breath test and was charged with drink driving to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 20 January 2023.

• A 20 year old woman from Shottery was arrested at 22.09hours on Sunday 27 November 2022 in Warwick Road, Stratford on suspicion of drink driving after officers were called to a single vehicle collision involving a Peugeot car. On police arrival, she identified herself as the driver of the vehicle and failed a roadside breath test. She was later charged and is due to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 20 January 2022

• A 35 year old man from Dordon was arrested 04:45hours on Sunday 27 November on the M42 north bound on suspicion of drug driving when the Ford C Max he was driving was involved in a single vehicle collision near Junction 9. Police attended and although he tested negative for alcohol he provided a positive drug swipe.  He has been released under investigation pending further test results.

Officers have increased their presence on Warwickshire’s roads to coincide with the football World Cup and lead up to Christmas in order to target and catch drink and drug drivers including the following drivers:-

• A 56 year old man from Salford, Manchester was arrested at 07:13 on Friday 25 November 2022 between Junction 1 - 2 M6 on suspicion of drink driving, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance. The arrest came after the man’s VW Golf had broken down on hard shoulder of M6. Officers have attended and the driver failed a roadside breath test.  He was charged and is due to appear at Manchester Magistrates Court on 9 January 2023.
• A 37 year old man from Ilford in Essex was arrested at 17:35hours on Thursday 24 November 2022 on suspicion of the Theft of Motor Vehicle, drug driving, and possession of what is believed to be cannabis when officers stopped a VW Golf on the A46 between Stoneleigh and Coventry. He has been released on conditional bail to 18 February 2023 pending further police enquiries.
• A 50 year old man from Corley was arrested at 00.27hours on Saturday 26 November in Highfield Lane, Corley on suspicion of drink driving when his Izuzu pick was stopped by officers who had observed his manner of driving and he failed a roadside breath test. He has been charged and is due to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 20 January 2023.

• A 57 year old woman from Rugby was arrested at 17:22hours on Friday 25 November 2022 on Crick Road, Rugby when she was found slumped in a Smart Car in the driving seat. She was checked over by paramedics and failed a road side breath test.  She is charged with drink driving to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates on 6 January 2023.

• A 28 year old woman from Coventry was arrested at 23:30hours on Friday 25 November 2022 on suspicion of drug driving in Brinklow Road, Coventry. She has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.
• A 38 year old woman from Bishops Tachbrook was arrested at 20.55 hours on Sunday 27 November 2022 in Thomas Street, Leamington Spa after officers observed her driving. She pulled over and got out of the Mercedes.  She was arrested for failing to provide a specimen of breath and later charged to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 20 January 2023.

The message from Warwickshire Police is simple – if you are going out drinking with friends to enjoy the World Cup or a Christmas Party, plan ahead and agree a nominated driver or prebook a taxi home so that you are not tempted to drink and drive.