Category: Road safety

Commissioner hits out at “selfish” drink and drug drivers as campaign draws to a close

Posted on | by Alex Winter

More than 140 arrests were made in Surrey in just four weeks as part of Surrey Police’s annual drink and drug drive campaign.

The campaign is run by officers with the aim of protecting the public from the dangers of drink and drug driving over the festive period. This is run in addition to proactive patrols to tackle drink and drug drivers, which are carried out 365 days a year.

A total of 145 arrests on were made after stops by Surrey Police officers during the operation which ran from Thursday, 1 December to Sunday, 1 January inclusive.

Out of these, 136 arrests were made on suspicion of drink and drug driving. These included:

  • 52 arrests on suspicion of drink driving
  • 76 on suspicion of drug driving
  • Two for both offences
  • One on suspicion of being unfit due to drink or drugs
  • Five for failure to provide a specimen.

The remaining 9 arrests were for other offences such as:

  • Drug possession and supply offences
  • Theft of motor vehicle
  • Firearms offences
  • Failure to stop at the scene of a road traffic collision
  • Handling stolen goods
  • Stolen motor vehicle

During the same period Sussex Police made 233 arrests, 114 on suspicion of drink driving, 111 on suspicion of drug driving and eight for failure to provide.

Superintendent Rachel Glenton, from Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said: “Whilst most road users are conscientious and law-abiding citizens, there are several people who refuse to comply with the law. Not only is this putting their own lives at risk, but also other innocent people’s lives as well.

“A small amount of alcohol or drugs can massively impair your judgement and seriously increase the risk of you injuring or killing yourself or someone else on the roads.”

‘Never worth it’

Lisa Townsend, Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, said: “Far too many people still think it’s acceptable to drink or take drugs before getting behind the wheel.

“In being so selfish, they risk their own lives, as well as those of other road users.

“Surrey’s routes are particularly busy – they carry 60 per cent more traffic than the average UK road, and serious crashes are sadly not uncommon here. That’s why road safety is a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan.

“I will always support the police as they use the full force of the law to tackle reckless motorists who endanger others.

“Those who drive intoxicated can destroy families and ruin lives. It is never worth it.”

If you know someone who is driving whilst over the limit or after taking drugs, call 999.

Deputy Commissioner warns against drink and drug driving this Christmas as she joins night shift with traffic officers

Posted on | by Alex Winter

DEPUTY Police and Crime Commissioner Ellie Vesey-Thompson has spoken out about the dangers of drink and drug driving this Christmas.

Ellie joined Surrey Police’s Roads Policing Unit for a late-night shift to highlight the risk of drinking alcohol or taking drugs before getting behind the wheel.

It comes after the Force launched a Christmas campaign to target intoxicated drivers. Until January 1, resources will be dedicated to preventing and detecting drink and drug-driving.

In December 2021 campaign, a total of 174 arrests were made on suspicion of drink and drug-driving by Surrey Police alone.

“Don’t be the reason that your loved ones, or the loved ones of another road user, have their lives turned upside down.”

Ellie said: “Surrey’s roads are very busy – they carry 60 per cent more traffic on average than other stretches around the country, and our motorways are some of the most highly-used in the UK. We also have a large number of rural roads which can pose other risks, particularly in bad weather conditions.

“That’s why ensuring safer Surrey roads is a key priority in the Police and Crime Plan.

“Serious crashes are sadly not uncommon in the county, and we know that anyone who drinks or takes drugs before driving are particularly dangerous on the roads.

“This is a crime that destroys lives, and we see far too much of it in Surrey.”

In the latest available figures from 2020, an estimated 6,480 people in the UK were killed or injured when at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit.

Ellie said: “This Christmas, make sure you have a safe way to get home from parties and events, either by booking a taxi, taking a train or relying on a designated driver.

“Drink and drug driving is incredibly selfish and needlessly risky. Don’t be the reason that your loved ones, or the loved ones of another road user, have their lives turned upside down.”

“You could be over the limit several hours after you’ve stopped drinking.”

Superintendent Rachel Glenton, from Surrey and Sussex Roads policing, said: “Most people are safe and conscientious motorists, but despite knowing the risks, there is still a small number of people who are not only willing risking their own lives but the lives of others.

“Remember even a small amount of alcohol or substances can massively impair your ability to drive safely and you could also be over the limit several hours after you’ve stopped drinking, so make sure you give it enough time before you drive. Drugs stay in your system far longer.

“If you are going out, look after yourself and friends, arrange alternative and safe ways home.”

Lisa Townsend speaking from podium to audience at performance of Safe Drive Stay Alive in Surrey

Commissioner announces new funding for Safe Drive Stay Alive during national Road Safety Week

Posted on | by James Smith

Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has announced a new wave of funding for a long-standing initiative aimed at keeping the county’s youngest drivers safe.

Lisa Townsend has committed to spending more than £100,000 on Safe Drive Stay Alive until 2025. She announced the news during charity Brake’s Road Safety Week, which began yesterday and continues until November 20.

Lisa recently attended the first live performance of Safe Drive Stay Alive at Dorking Halls in three years.

The performance, which has been viewed by more than 190,000 teens aged between 16 and 19 since 2005, highlights the dangers of drink- and drug-driving, speeding, and looking at a mobile phone while at the wheel.

Young audiences hear from frontline personnel serving with Surrey Police, Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and the South Central Ambulance Service, as well as those who have lost loved ones and drivers who have been involved in fatal road traffic collisions.

Newer drivers are at higher risk of injury and death on the roads. Safe Drive Stay Alive, which is coordinated by the fire service, is designed to reduce the number of collisions involving young motorists.

Lisa said: “My office has been supporting Safe Drive Stay Alive for more than 10 years. The initiative aims to save the lives of young drivers, as well as anyone they may come across on the roads, with a series of incredibly powerful performances.

“I witnessed the first live show, and I feel deeply moved by it.

“It’s absolutely crucial that the scheme can continue for many years to come, and ensuring safer roads in Surrey is one of the key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan. That’s why I’ve agreed to a £105,000 grant that will ensure teenagers are able to travel to Dorking Halls to see the performance for themselves.

“I’m really proud to be able to support something so important, and I believe Safe Drive Stay Alive will save many more lives in the future.”

Over the past 17 years, almost 300 Safe Drive Stay Alive performances have taken place. This year, 70 different schools, colleges, youth groups and Army recruits have attended in person for the first time since 2019. An estimated 28,000 young people watched the event online during Covid lockdowns.

Arial view of motorway

“Dangerous in the extreme and completely unacceptable” – Commissioner condemns latest protests on the M25 in Surrey

Posted on | by James Smith | Leave a Comment on “Dangerous in the extreme and completely unacceptable” – Commissioner condemns latest protests on the M25 in Surrey

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has condemned the ‘reckless and dangerous’ actions of protesters who once again caused disruption on the M25 in Surrey this morning.

The Commissioner said the behaviour of Just Stop Oil protesters who scaled overhead gantries on the motorway put ordinary people’s lives at risk and were completely unacceptable.

Police were called this morning to four different locations on the Surrey stretch of the M25 and a number of arrests have been made. Similar protests were also seen in Essex, Hertfordshire and London.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Sadly once again we have seen people’s everyday lives being disrupted by the reckless actions of these protesters.

“No matter what the cause, climbing overhead gantries on the busiest motorway in the country during the Monday morning rush hour is dangerous in the extreme and totally unacceptable.

“These protesters not only put their own safety at risk but also those people who were using the motorway to go about their own business and those officers called out to deal them. You can only imagine what could have happened had someone fallen onto the carriageway.

“I am pleased to see the swift response by Surrey Police who were quickly on the scene to detain those involved. But yet again our precious police resources have had to be diverted to deal with these protesters and keep everyone safe.

“What we need to see now is those responsible put before the courts and given punishments that reflect the seriousness of their actions.

“I am a strong believer in peaceful and lawful protest but the vast majority of the public have had enough. The actions of this group are getting increasingly more dangerous and must be stopped before someone is seriously hurt.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend standing next to a police car

PCC backs Surrey Police summer drink and drug-drive crackdown

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

A summer campaign to crack down on drink and drug-drivers kicks off today (Friday 11 June), in conjunction with the Euro 2020 football tournament.

Both Surrey Police and Sussex Police will deploy increased resources to tackle one of the five most common causes of fatal and serious injury collisions on our roads.

The goal is to keep all road users safe, and to take robust action against those who put the lives of themselves and others at risk.
Working with partners including Sussex Safer Roads Partnership and Drive Smart Surrey, the forces are urging motorists to stay onside of the law – or face the penalties.

Chief Inspector Michael Hodder, of the Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said: “Our aim is to reduce the possibility of people being injured or killed through collisions whereby the driver has been under the influence of drink or drugs.

“However, we cannot do this on our own. I need your help to take responsibility for your own actions and the actions of others – do not drive if you are going to drink or use drugs, as the consequences can be fatal for yourself or an innocent member of the public.

“And if you suspect someone is driving under the influence of drink or drugs, report it to us immediately – you could save a life.

“We all know that drinking or using drugs whilst driving is not only dangerous, but socially unacceptable, and my plea is that we work together to protect everyone on the roads from harm.

“There are a lot of miles to cover across Surrey and Sussex, and while we may not be everywhere all the time, we could be anywhere.”

The dedicated campaign runs from Friday 11 June to Sunday 11 July, and is in addition to routine roads policing 365 days a year.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend said: “Even having one drink and getting behind the wheel of a vehicle can have fatal results. The message couldn’t be clearer – just don’t take the risk.

“People will of course want to enjoy the summer, particularly as lockdown restrictions begin to ease. But that reckless and selfish minority who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs are gambling with their own and other people’s lives.

“Those caught driving over the limit should be in no doubt that they will face the consequences of their actions.”

In keeping with previous campaigns, the identities of anyone arrested for drink or drug-driving during this period and subsequently convicted, will be published on our website and social media channels.

Chief Insp Hodder added: “We hope that by maximising publication of this campaign, people will think twice about their actions. We appreciate that the vast majority of motorists are safe and competent road users, but there is always a minority who ignore our advice and risk lives.

“Our advice to everyone – whether you’re watching the football or socialising with friends or family this summer – is to drink or drive; never both. Alcohol affects different people in different ways, and the only way to guarantee you are safe to drive is to have no alcohol at all. Even one pint of beer, or one glass of wine, can be enough to put you over the limit and significantly impair your ability to drive safely.

“Think about it before you get behind the wheel. Don’t let your next journey be your last.”

Between April 2020 and March 2021, 291 people casualties were involved in a drink or drug-driving related collision in Sussex; three of these were fatal.

Between April 2020 and March 2021, 212 people casualties were involved in a drink or drug-driving related collision in Surrey; two of these were fatal.

The consequences of drink or drug-driving could include the following:
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;
Trouble travelling to countries such as the USA;
You could also kill or seriously injure yourself or someone else.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report it online. www.crimestoppers-uk.org

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs, call 999.