Drivers arrested in Sussex Police drink-drive crackdown

On the A27 Pevensey by-pass three people were arrested on Sunday morning after failing roadside breath tests at an early morning static drink drive check.

In Brighton a man was arrested after being stopped by police in Brighton.

Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas of Sussex Police’s Road Policing Unit said: “Within one hour early on Sunday morning four people failed roadside breath tests. It is worrying that people believe they are safe to drive the morning after drinking.

“The truth is that it can take a long time for alcohol to leave your body and it varies from person to person as to how long it takes to be sober. If you have been drinking the night before you could still be over the drink drive limit the morning after.

“Remember if you are convicted of drink driving you will lose your driving licence. This could affect your work, home and family life. You can also lose your licence if you fail to provide, or refuse to provide, a specimen to police after being arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

“If you are drinking the night before driving, please remember that you could still be over the limit in the morning and consider making a choice between drinking or driving.”

A 24-year-old man from Hastings was arrested at 7.54am on Sunday, December 9 on the A27 at Pevensey on suspicion of drink driving. He was released a short time later with no further action taken.

A 36-year-old man from Hove was arrested at 8.07am on Sunday, December 9 in Preston Road, Brighton, on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle when alcohol above limit. He was bailed until February 18, 2013, pending further enquiries.

A 48-year-old man from Bexhill was arrested at 8.25am on Sunday, December 9 on the A27 at Pevensey on suspicion of drink driving. He was charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis and is due to appear at Eastbourne Magistrates’ Court on December 28.

A 42-year-old woman from Polegate was arrested at 8.50am on Sunday, December 9 on the A27 at Pevensey on suspicion of drink driving. She was charged with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol above limit and is due to appear at Eastbourne Magistrates’ Court on December 28.

Since the start of the annual Christmas drink drive campaign, Sussex Police has carried out 1,419 breath tests, with 50 people failing the tests resulting in arrest.

Anyone with thinks a motorist is about to get behind the wheel and may be over the drink drive limit can make a report by text on 65999. Reports should contain as much information as possible - ideally the vehicle’s make/model/colour and number plate, geographical location, and date/time driver is expected to be on the road.

Reports can also be made via 999 if the activity is currently taking place or 101 if it is not an emergency.

More information about making the choice to drink or drive is available at www.drinkordrive.co.uk