Littlehampton motorist banned from the road

Dariusz Dziewa, 28, was more than twice the drink-drive limit when he pulled in front of a marked police car at the petrol station next to the A27 at Crossbush at 8am on December 14, Sussex Police said.

Checks on his car revealed that it was being driven without an MoT so Dziewa was breathalysed and then arrested.

Dziewa, of Linden Road, admitted drink-driving and driving without an MoT when he appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on December 31.

He was banned from driving for 36 months, fined £320 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

So far 15 people have been convicted of offences as part of last month’s crackdown.

Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas, from Sussex and Surrey roads policing unit, said: “The convictions show that if you are drink-driving you don’t have to be swerving all over the road or crashing into someone to be caught.

“If there is anything wrong with your vehicle or your insurance you run the risk of being stopped and breathalysed so if you are driving while drunk or are on drugs we will arrest you.

“Drink and drug-driving is totally unacceptable and we will continue to target those who put their lives and the lives of other road users at risk by breaking the law.”

For the first time, the December campaign was run jointly by Sussex Police and Surrey Police alongside Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, Drive Smart in Surrey and the independent charity Crimestoppers.

As part of Operation Dragonfly – Sussex Police’s year-round strategy to remove drink and drug-drivers from the streets – roads policing unit officers were on dedicated patrols looking for offenders.

Teams also respond to tip-offs from members of the public who see someone they know has been drinking getting into a car to drive.

The names of those charged are being proactively published.

People in Sussex can text officers on 65999 with the details of people they suspect of drink or drug driving or visit www.operationcrackdown.co.uk.

They can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

To keep up to date with officers looking for drink drivers, follow #opdragonfly on Twitter.

If you know someone is driving while over the limit or after taking drugs call 999.