A DRIVER in Norton recorded one of the highest drink-driving levels recorded over the last fortnight.

Police in North Yorkshire have now arrested 50 people in the first half of this year’s annual drink and drug drive campaign.

The campaign was launched on Thursday, December 1. In the first eight days officers arrested 18 people. The second week of the campaign has seen the figure increase sharply to 32 arrests.

This now brings the total number of arrests to 50. Out of the 50 arrests, 38 were men and 12 were women.

In the last eight days, one of the highest readings was in Norton.

At 5pm on Thursday, December 15, officers stopped a vehicle in the town which was uninsured and was also not displaying tax. A breath test was conducted on the driver who provided a roadside reading of 124.

A 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving when above the alcohol limit and driving with no insurance. At the police station he provided a reading of 98 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. He was charged with driving a motor vehicle when above the alcohol limit and driving with no insurance. He was also reported the offence of displaying no tax.

Two further arrests have been made in Ryedale.

Superintendent Emma Aldred, head of Specialist Operations at North Yorkshire Police commented on the latest set of results:

“It’s alarming to see that we have arrested 50 people in just over two weeks for drink or drug driving in North Yorkshire.

“I would like to thank members of the public who are responding to our campaign and providing us with information about people who are driving after consuming drink or drugs.

“The message is clear; we will not tolerate drink and drug drivers on North Yorkshire’s roads”.

The force launched this year’s campaign on Thursday 01 December 2022. Emmerdale actor Mark Charnock who plays Marlon Dingle participated in a mock road traffic collision to show members of the public the reality of drink or drug driving.

Since the launch of the campaign officers in North Yorkshire have been out patrolling the county in marked and unmarked vehicles.

A specialist operation was also set up on the A66 corridor. Officers from North Yorkshire Police partnered with officers from Cumbria Police, Durham Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to target commercial drivers who use drink or drugs. A number of drivers were dealt with for motoring offences but thankfully all drivers were negative for drink or drugs.

Road safety officers have also been working with colleagues at North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service to deliver ‘Survive the drive’ events. These preventative talks explain the dangers of driving when under the influence of drink or drugs.

This year’s campaign is in partnership with York and North Yorkshire Road Safety partnership. It runs through until Saturday, December 31.