This comes amid Sussex Police’s Christmas crackdown on motorists operating under the influence.
The force will be increasing patrols this month in a bid to protect road users and bring offenders to justice, in addition to its routine roads policing duties carried out every day.
A total of 63 people have been arrested in just one week since the start of the month-long operational period and of these, 22 have already been charged.
In 2024, there were 70 collisions in Sussex where someone was killed or seriously injured (KSIs) relating to alcohol and 48 relating to drugs.
This compares to 27 KSIs for alcohol and 19 for drugs in 2023, and 46 KSIs for alcohol and 8 for drugs in 2022.
A total of 270 drink and drug-driving arrests were made in Sussex during the last month-long campaign which ran from December 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025.
Many motorists may not realise they are still over the limit for alcohol the morning after Christmas parties or a night out with friends.
Meanwhile, those who consume drugs may not realise that the chemicals stay in their bodies for a long time – often days or weeks – which means they can be over the drug-drive limit for a considerable period after taking them.
This year, alongside its drink-drive messaging, Sussex Police is promoting a new drug-driving campaign: ‘Think Again’.
This campaign challenges the myths people use to justify drug-driving at Christmas and reinforces the reality of enforcement.
As with previous campaigns, the force will be naming some of those convicted to “raise awareness of the issue” and act as a deterrent.
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said: “This Christmas, don’t risk it.
“If you drink or take drugs and then drive, you are gambling with lives – your own and everyone else’s on the road.
“Alcohol and drugs destroy your ability to make safe decisions and the consequences can be catastrophic.”
To report someone you fear may be drink or drug driving, call 999.
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