THIS summer’s drink and drug-driving campaign has seen a rise in arrests.

As part of a joint initiative, Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police have seen a 37 per cent rise in the number of drivers arrested for drug driving and a 25 per cent increase in the number arrested for drink driving, compared to last year.

Figures show that across the area 394 drivers failed breath tests compared to 316 during the same period last year, while 151 drivers were arrested for drug driving offences this year compared to 110 in 2017.

A total of 3,327 drivers were tested overall during the month-long campaign that ran from the June 14 to July 15, resulting in 536 arrests.

Spot and roadside checks were conducted both morning and evening where drivers were asked to provide a voluntary breath test.

Hampshire and Thames Valley road safety sergeant Rob Heard said: “We made it clear to drivers that we would be stepping up our enforcement for drink and drug-driving and warn them against the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“We also shared the personal tragedy of Karen Marchant, who lost her daughter to a drink driver in the hope that it would deter others from taking that risk.

“Sadly, there are still a significant number of people that think it’s acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcohol and/or drugs, risking their own life and other innocent people’s lives.”

Sgt Heard said: “I do not believe we have more drug drivers on the road, but simply the equipment has allowed us to detect them more easily. Over the last two years we have started using drug-testing equipment more and more, with all roads policing officers carrying the drug analysers which they can use when they have a suspicion someone maybe driving under the influence of a drug.”

He added: “These people caught will now face the consequences of their thoughtless, selfish actions.”

Key results:

* 3,219 drivers were breath tested, 394 of these failed the test (12.2%)

* 94 drivers who failed the breath test had been involved in a collision

* Out of the 394 who failed the breath test, 81% were male and 19% female

* The highest age group for failing a breath test were the under-25s (14.6%)

* 108 drivers were drug tested, 52 failed the test (48.1%)

* 16 drivers who failed the drug test had been involved in a collision (28.6%)

* Out of the 151 arrested for drug-driving offences, 94% were male and 6% female.