DEVON and Cornwall Police has reaffirmed its commitment to road users as the force discuss initiatives put in place to reduce road injuries and deaths on the roads across the force area.

Such initiatives underpin a proactive approach to prevent accidents caused by motorists who take risks on the roads, the police have said.

One of the initiatives is an operation known as Op Limit, a national month-long initiative aimed at warning drivers about the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

As part of December 2024 Op Limit campaign, Devon and Cornwall Police arrested 284 people on suspicion of drink or drug driving.

Of the 178 people arrested on suspicion of drink driving, 79 percent were male and most offenders were aged between 17 and 45.

On Christmas day, 11 people were arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

On New Years Eve and into the early hours of New Years Day, seven people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Chief Inspector Dean Drury of the Roads Policing Team, said: ‘During December, we increased operational activity to catch drink and drug drivers who put other roads users at risk.

‘While it is disappointing to see so many people arrested on suspicion of drink and drug drive related offences, I am pleased that our increased efforts to tackle those drivers has resulted in so many arrests and potential convictions.

‘I would like to thank members of the public who called us to report a drink or drug driver.

‘In December alone, our control room received 227 calls to report drivers suspected to be under the influence, and many of these calls led to arrests.

‘This intelligence is really important and helps us to keep roads in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly safe for all road users.

‘Our officers witness the aftermath of collisions all too often, from serious injuries to fatalities and the impact on those families, and so are entirely committed to catching and removing impaired drivers from our roads.’

The Roads Policing Team operates reactively to manage collisions and proactively supports planned operations.

They also work alongside the ‘No Excuse Team’, a strategic team targeting offenders who contribute to the ‘Fatal Five’ – the most common causes of deaths and serious collisions on the roads.

This include: not wearing a seatbelt; driving under the influence of drink or drugs; distractions, including mobile phone use; driving at an excessive or inappropriate speed and driving without due care and attention.