Five arrested for drug driving in road safety partnership operation on the M6

Cumbria Police and other partners have hailed a partnership initiative success following over 60 vehicle stops and 5 drug related arrests on the M6 over a two day period this week. 

New Roads Policing officers concluded a two-week Traffic Patrol Officer course with a two-day partnership operation with the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and Motor Insurance Bureau on the M6.  

The two-week course covered roads policing legislation, drink and drug drive procedures, serious collision scene management and partnership working. 

Over the two days (27-28 Feb), officers encountered and processed a wide range of interventions including: 

60 vehicles stopped

27 vehicles weighed 

14 DVSA prohibitions for mechanical defects

9 GFPN (Graduated Fixed Penalties) issued for various drivers hours/no tachograph 

5 Arrests for Sec 5a- Driver over the prescribed limit of cocaine or cannabis 

3 Vehicle seizures 165 no insurance 

3 Court files for multiple offences ranging from dangerous condition and no insurance 

2 Traffic offence reports for No Insurance

2 Traffic offence reports for Defective tyre

2 Person search - Cannabis located

2 Vehicle Drug Search 

1 TOR (Traffic Offence Report) for mobile phone 

Roads Policing Inspector Jack Stabler said: “Our Roads Policing Officers regularly work with partner agencies towards our shared ambition of Vision Zero, to enhance Road Safety and reduce Killed or Seriously injured collisions on Cumbria’s road network. 

“This week, officers have concluded their two-week Traffic Patrol Officers course which prepares them for operational Roads Policing duties. Our mission is to deliver an outstanding police service to keep Cumbria Safe.” 

Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Mike Johnson comments: “The Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU) continues to go from strength to strength and the Force are fully committed to making our county’s roads safe for all users.

“I am delighted that we have been able to put even more officers into Roads Policing and when I was out with some of the new RPU new recruits earlier this week, their dedication and resolve was clear to see.

“We all share a responsibility to keep our roads safe. We all use the roads, whether as motorists, cyclists or pedestrians, so it is in everyone’s best interest that we take care, obey the rules and laws of the road and respect one another.”