Police put brakes on dangerous drink driver

A dangerous drink driver swerved all over the road and hit speeds of over 80mph in a 30mph built-up area before he was stopped in his tracks.

The incident, featured in tonight’s brand new instalment of Police Interceptors, is an example of Nottinghamshire Police’s tireless work, on a day-to-day basis, to catch drink and drug-drivers before they have the opportunity to cause serious injury or death.

The latest episode hits television screens as the force is currently supporting a month-long national drink and drug drive campaign.

The ongoing major prevention and enforcement operation includes proactive patrols at key times and locations right across Nottinghamshire, with the force pledging to actively hunt down drink and drug-drivers as well as building intelligence on known suspects to help reduce offending.

During 2022, drink and drug drive campaigns in Nottinghamshire resulted in 260 drivers being arrested on suspicion of driving while over the legal alcohol limit, 148 drivers being arrested on suspicion of driving while over the specified drug limit and 30 drivers being arrested on suspicion of driving while unfit through drink or drugs.

Police Constable Phil Broughton, a part of Nottinghamshire Police’s road policing unit and a familiar face on Police Interceptors, said: “In Nottinghamshire, over the last four years, we have recorded 473 collisions where one or more driver was impaired with alcohol or drugs.

“These resulted in 619 injured casualties, with 136 of those being seriously injured and 19 people sadly being killed on our roads.

“We are keeping up the pressure and carrying out regular roadside checks in order to catch drink and drug-drivers throughout Nottinghamshire who put their own lives and the lives of others in danger. We will continue our work to educate and enforce wherever we can.

“The decision to drive while you’re under the influence of drink or drugs takes just a split second, but the consequences could last a lifetime.

“We have first-hand experience of having to deliver the devastating news to the families of those involved in fatal collisions that their loved ones have died.

"We would not wish this on anyone which is why we work hard throughout the whole year to tackle these crimes.

"The results of drink or drug driving also have massive life-changing consequences for those who commit the crime, not only in terms of a possible prison sentence, but also the loss of their job, relationship and freedom to drive.

“We can all play a part in keeping our county’s roads safe and reducing the number of people who are risking their lives and the lives of others.

"If you know or suspect that someone is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, try to discourage them but if they won’t listen to you ring us and report them.

"Call us on 101 or 999 if there's an immediate threat to life or property. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Meanwhile, in tonight’s action-packed episode of Police Interceptors, officers deal with a man in the middle of a road after he marches towards them in a threatening manner, and a suspected drug dealer is stopped in his tracks following a police pursuit.

Catch all this and more on Channel 5 at 8pm.