Op Spotlight: 129 Dangerous drink and drug drivers arrested in month-long road safety campaign

Drink and drug drivers were among those targeted in Cumbria during a national month-long road safety campaign targeting the Fatal Four.

Operation Spotlight is a national road safety operation which focuses on the Fatal Four: Speeding, Using a mobile phone at the wheel, Not wearing a seatbelt, Driving under the influence of drink and/or drugs

In Cumbria, the operation was led by Cumbria Constabulary's dedicated Roads Policing Unit and resulted in 129 arrests, including 82 drivers for drug driving and 47 drivers for drink driving.

Inspector Holly Lockwood, lead for Cumbria's Roads Policing Unit, said: "Whilst the RPU targets dangerous driving behaviour 365 days a year, Operation Spotlight gives us the opportunity to highlight that there are still a significant number of drivers who are getting behind the wheel each day whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

"We are continuing to see a trend of more drug-driving than drink driving arrests. One factor in this is that drugs such as cocaine and cannabis remain in your system significantly longer than alcohol – which means they can still be negatively impacting your driving behaviour more 24 hours after they have been taken."

The arrest of dangerous drivers can often result from members of the public contacting police.

Insp Lockwood said: "We very much welcome and encourage reports from members of the public who notice poor driving behaviour.

"By calling their concerns in, they could be helping us prevent a serious crash before it occurs."

Always call 999 in an emergency – including when a crime is in progress.

For non-emergencies, you can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/reportit. You can also phone on 101.

Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Cumbria's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: "This is a great result for Cumbria – dangerous drivers are being taken off our roads and those who use the roads safely and lawfully are being kept safe.

"Road Safety is incredibly important – especially at this time of year when the county sees in influx of visitors and our roads are busier.

"The Road's Policing Team are out every single day keep our roads safe – this operation is a snapshot of this work.

"For me, the message is clear: if you are driving dangerously and/or under the influence, you will be caught and face the consequences.

"I would urge all motorists to drive sensibly and make sure you get home safe."