Monday, 19 December 2011 15:14

More than 5,500 breath tests have taken place since Sussex Police launched its annual Christmas anti-drink drive campaign.

Since Monday 14 November 142 drink or drug driving related arrests have also taken place.

Chief Inspector Di Roskilly of Sussex Police's Road Policing Unit said: "Officers across Sussex Police have been carrying out breath tests in days of targeted action and following collisions.

"So far around two-and-a-half per cent of those breathalysed have failed the test and been arrested.

"It is disappointing that people are still choosing to drive after having a drink. Drink or drug driving ruins lives and I would encourage the public to report anyone they believe may be drink-driving."

This year, for the first time, people can report a drink-driver by sending a text message to Sussex Police.

To report a drink-driver text 65999 with as much information as possible. If you can include details about who the driver is, where they are driving from and to, details about the car and registration.

As soon as the text is received by our contact centre it is treated in the same way as any other call.

So far 5,863 tests have been carried out. For a similar period last year 5,464 tests were carried out and 125 arrests made.

On Thursday evening (15 December) the Road Policing Unit from Polegate carried out a drink drive check in partnership with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service from Wadhurst.

The check, between 9-11.30pm was carried out outside the fire station with drivers being breath tested by Police and invited to speak to fire officers in relation to drink driving and road safety advice.

Over the duration of the check, 80 vehicles were stopped with two drivers arrested for drink driving and one for drug-related offences.

Pc Phil Barrow from the Casualty Reduction Team said: "It's not only main roads but rural locations like Wadhurst where we are directing our efforts together with the fire service to target drink drivers.

"Drivers must not become complacent where drink driving is concerned. Do not take the chance of driving having consumed alcohol, where the likely consequences of being stopped or greater still being involved in a collision speak for themselves."

Anyone who would like to report drink or drug driving to police can contact 999 if the person is driving or about to drive or 101 if it is not imminent - for example a habitual drink-driver. People can also text 65999 or make a report through www.operationcrackdown.org