Wednesday, 07 January 2009 00:00

And officers are warning drivers not to become complacent now the Christmas and New Year festivities have come to an end – although the official campaign finishes on January 18th, those who continue to risk lives by drinking whilst under the influence of drink and/or drugs will be targeted 365 days of the year.

Operation Replay is being led by the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) with support from every division across the Force area. RPU officers have conducted 5,246 tests and arrested 151 people for either providing a positive breath test, failing or refusing to provide a breath test or on suspicion of being unfit to drive through drink or drugs. In total across the Force, 404 people have been arrested.

Sgt Richard Hornsey of the Road Policing Unit said: "There will be no easing off in police activity simply because Christmas and the New Year have passed and we will carry on targeting those who not only flout the law but put their own and other people’s lives at risk.

“It’s disappointing to see that some people are still willing to get behind the wheel of a car when they are unfit to drive. There is no safe option to drink alcohol if you’re driving – there is no failsafe guide as to how to stay under the legal drink drive limit and our advice to motorists is to simply not drink at all if they’re planning to drive. Every motorist involved in a collision will be subject to a roadside breath test. During this campaign, of the 151 people arrested by RPU officers, 30 have been as a result of a collision but 118 have been as a result of positive police intervention before a collision has occurred.”

Sgt Hornsey also warned drivers to allow extra time for their journeys during the current cold spell and make sure that they defrost their vehicle thoroughly before setting out.

“If you have had to defrost the car, it follows that the roads may be icy so slow down and leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front,” he advised. “Avoid harsh braking or steering, particularly on bends."

So far in 2009, there have been 14 collisions that are classed as serious injury in Sussex and tragically one fatal collision in the early hours of this morning (January 7th).