Lack of taxis may encourage drink driving - police

West Mercia Police made 266 drink driving arrests in 2023

A lack of taxis and public transport in rural areas may lead to people taking risks with drink-driving over Christmas, a police inspector fears.

Insp Damien Kelly, of West Mercia Police, spoke out as the force publicised its annual campaign to reduce the number of drink-drive incidents over the festive period.

"People are willing to take more risks [at this time of year]", said Insp Kelly, following the arrest of 266 people in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire during the festive period in 2023.

The force confirmed that a total of 36 deaths had been connected to drink-driving in the last three years.

The problems are exacerbated because many more people are out enjoying parties at this time of year.

"[And] South Shropshire is very rural so what we find with a lack of taxis, public transport things like that, people will often be tempted to drink drive," added Insp Kelly.