Avon and Somerset Police arrested 241 drivers during a month-long campaign targeting those under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

One notable arrest involved a 17-year-old boy who crashed a car carrying five people into a telegraph pole in Pucklechurch, South Gloucestershire, on 15 December. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported. The teenager was later charged with multiple offences, including driving over the legal alcohol limit, driving without a license, and operating a vehicle without third-party insurance.

Throughout December, police employed various strategies, such as acting on public reports and conducting random stop checks, to catch offenders. Among the arrests, 62% were related to alcohol, while drug-related driving offences made up 38%.

The data revealed that drivers aged 25 to 34 were the most frequently apprehended, accounting for 32% of arrests. They were followed by the 35 to 44 age group (24%) and drivers under 25 (20%). Notably, nearly 90% of those arrested were male.

Chief Inspector Robert Cheeseman, head of roads policing and road safety, condemned impaired driving, stating, “Choosing to drive while impaired is not just illegal—it’s a deeply irresponsible act that can shatter lives in an instant.” Photo by. Roger Cornfoot, Wikimedia commons.