A scheme allowing members of the public to text police if they know of someone drink driving has been dubbed a huge success.
Taking place in Sussex and Surrey, the joint campaign saw over a hundred arrests made during the winter crackdown, reports courier.co.uk. Aimed at catching those putting other drivers at risk by drink or drug driving, chief inspector Phil Nicholas from Sussex and Surrey roads policing unit says overall the month had a been a success.
The campaign actively publishes the names of motorists caught as part of the campaign, and it’s the third time it’s been rolled out since first launching in December 2013, notes surreycomet.co.uk. Nicholas says: “Drink and drug-driving is totally unacceptable and we will continue to target those who put their lives and the lives of other road users at risk by breaking the law.”
A joint partnership between Surrey Police, Sussex Police and the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, along with Drive Smart and the independent charity Crimestoppers, this most recent crackdown ran over the Christmas and New Year period. A similar campaign also ran in the Midlands, with Lincolnshire Police making almost 50 arrests reports spaldingtoday.co.uk.
In both campaigns, concerned members of the public could text in to report drivers. This service is still available; Sussex officers can be text with the details of the driver suspected (to 65999), while in Lincolnshire people need to text the word ‘DRINK’ to 80800, followed by details of the vehicle and incident.
