Police continue to arrest those choosing to drink and drive this summer

Police are continuing to arrest around 15 drivers a week who appear to have made the decision to drink alcohol or take drugs and then drive.

This includes:-

A 19 year old man from Coleshill who was arrested at 4.10am on Thursday 8 August after he was found in the driver’s seat of a car with the engine running and lights on behind some garages on Digby Close, Coleshill. He failed a roadside breath test and was later charged with drink driving.  He is due to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 23 August 2024. 

A 23 year old man from Wilnecote, Tamworth was arrested on suspicion of drink driving at 10.30pm on Saturday 10 August outside The Gate Pub, on Coventry Road, Nether Whitacre after police were called to a collision and he failed a roadside breath test.  He was further arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving to one of his passengers who suffered facial fractures during the collision requiring hospital treatment.   He has been released on bail pending further investigation.

A 39 year old woman from Whetstone, Leicester was arrested at 3.30am on Sunday 11 August after it’s believed she presented herself to officers as the driver involved in a collision in Newbold Road, Rugby.  She failed a roadside breath test and was charged with drink driving to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 13 September 2024.

Four more drivers are to appear before Warwickshire Magistrates Court on 28 August 2024:-

With the help of Rugby First CCTV operators, a 40 year old man from the town was arrested at 2.15am on Friday 10 August 2024 on suspicion of drink driving in Railway Terrace, Rugby.  It’s believed he had been seen by town centre CCTV driving erratically in Rugby town centre.  Police officers located the vehicle parked in an alleyway and the man failed a roadside breath test.  Officers discovered he is a provisional licence holder. He was later charged with drink driving, causing criminal damage to his cell after arrest, and driving with no insurance or driving licence.

A 32 year old woman from Stratford-upon-Avon was arrested at 7.50pm on Sunday 11 August following a collision in Elm Row in the town when she failed a roadside breath test.  She was later charged with drink driving.

A 37 year old man from Coventry was arrested at 1am on Sunday morning 11 August on suspicion of drink driving in Waverley Road, Kenilworth after officers completed a routine traffic stop.   As they engaged in conversation with the driver, it’s believed he disclosed that he’d ‘drunk a few shandys’.  He failed a roadside breath test and was later charged with drink driving.

A 24 year old man from Kingsbury was arrested at 3.45am on Sunday 11 August following a collision with a stationary vehicle on Coventry Road, Kingsbury.  He failed a roadside breath test and was later charged with drink driving.

Inspector Simon Paull said “We are asking drivers to take responsibility by thinking and planning ahead.   If you are going on a night out, go somewhere within walking distance of home, book a taxi or discuss with friends beforehand who is going to be the non-drinking driver for the evening.  As a thank you, perhaps those drinking could buy the nominated driver, non-alcoholic beers and drinks for the evening.“

Drink driving is a serious offence, and if found guilty the minimum penalty is a one year driving ban, fine, criminal record and being unable to visit some countries such as the USA.  If you are eligible you may be offered a driver rehabilitation course. You have to pay for the course yourself and if you complete the course the ban will be reduced by a quarter.

The effects of being sentenced for drink driving are far reaching. A criminal record could affect your employment prospects. If you drive for a living you will not be able to continue if you are banned and it’s a strict no no for many roles where you are in a position of authority and expected to set an example, such as a teacher or lawyer.

This is the minimum those sentenced can expect.  At the other end of the scale, if you kill someone by careless driving when under the influence of drink you could get life imprisonment.

There’s more information here Drink-driving penalties - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)