Police arrest 29 drug drivers in crack-down

A CRACK-down on drug driving has resulted in 29 arrests during its first two months of enforcement.

Officers from South Yorkshire Police warned that there was nowhere for drug-using motorists to hide after seeing the results of 46 roadside tests in the eight weeks since the new legislation — under Section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 — was introduced on March 2.

Temporary Inspector for Roads Policing, Steve Askham, said: “Road Policing officers were trained and ready to go live with the new roadside drug screening kits last month.

“I am very pleased with these results.”

Of the 46 drug screening tests that have been completed on drivers, 29 returned a positive result for drugs.

All 29 of the positive tests highlighted that cannabis was present in the driver’s system, and in five of the tests, cocaine was also present.

All those arrested on suspicion of driving while over the prescribed limit and are currently on police bail pending the results of blood tests.

Temp Insp Askham added “I would strongly urge people to think twice before choosing to drive as the consequences, more often than not, can prove fatal.”