POLICE have made 134 arrests in Sussex as part of Operation Limit, the annual national campaign to tackle drink and drug driving.
The campaign runs from December 1, 2023 to January 1 2024, and Sussex Police have already recorded 40 collisions.
A significant number of drivers were stopped for erratic or sometimes dangerous driving owing to being intoxicated through alcohol or drugs.
So far, 30 arrests were made in Brighton and Hove; 47 arrests in East Sussex areas including 11 in Hastings and St Leonards, 12 in Eastbourne, seven in Bexhill and Battle and six across Lewes district.
There were also 57 arrests across West Sussex, including 17 in the Crawley and Horsham areas, and 11 arrests in the Adur and Worthing areas.
In 2022, Sussex Police arrested 2,000 motorists for drink or drug driving.
Head of Roads Policing Superintendent Rachel Glenton said: “Drink or drug driving is one of the main causes of people being killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“Since we started our campaign there have been dozens of drivers who have risked causing similar serious harm to themselves or to other innocent members of the public on our roads.
“That is why we continue to urge people to take steps to prevent drink and drug-driving, such as pre-booking a taxi or walking home.
“We ask friends and family members to persuade your loved ones not to get behind the wheel if they have consumed any alcohol or drugs. Where persuasion fails, we urge you to report those drivers to the police for us to arrest them. This will save lives.”
Sussex Police reported no one has been seriously harmed in these collisions. During stops and at stop check sites, officers identified and dealt with a number of other offences, including arresting wanted persons.
The consequences of drink or drug-driving could include: killing or seriously injuring yourself or someone else; a minimum 12-month ban; an unlimited fine; a possible prison sentence; a criminal record, which could affect your current and future employment; an increase in your car insurance costs and trouble travelling to countries such as the USA.
