Hundreds of drug-drivers held in Christmas crackdown

During 2023 Merseyside Police arrested 2,730 alleged drug-drivers

Christmas arrest figures have revealed Merseyside is facing an "epidemic of drug-drivers", police said.

The force said 469 drug-drivers and 191 drink-drivers were arrested on Merseyside over the festive period, an increase of 123 on the previous year.

Across 2023, Merseyside Police arrested 2,730 drug drivers, an average of 227 per month or 53 a week.

Roads policing Ch Insp Stuart McIver said the figures showed a lack of awareness around drug-driving.

"What we are seeing here is an epidemic of drug-driving and it's totally unacceptable," Ch Insp McIver said.

"The people we're arresting aren't habitual drug users struggling with addiction, these are people using drugs recreationally and then choosing to drive. It's astonishingly selfish. And there's no excuse for it."

'Stigma and shame'

The arrests were made as part of Operation Limit, a nation-wide initiative which ran from from 20 November to 1 January and aimed to tackle drink and drug driving across the festive period.

"The police's stance on illegal substances is clear: nobody should be taking them. But even if you choose to break the law and take illegal drugs, that does not give you the right to endanger the lives of innocent people on the roads who have no way of knowing you are driving intoxicated.

"All the stigma and shame that goes with drink-driving absolutely also needs to apply to drug-driving."

He said all those arrested could have used a "taxi or a lift or used the bus", adding: "But they didn't. They arrogantly put their own convenience above the safety of everyone else in Merseyside."