Hundreds of arrests made over the festive period as GMP cracks down on drink and drug driving

Officers made 400 arrests during a December crackdown on drink and drug driving as part of the national Operation Limit campaign.

Between December 1 to January 1, police conducted a significant 1,599 impairment tests and arrested 448 motorists for drink or drug driving offences. 

Key Figures: 

• 448 arrests made during roadside check-sites. 

• 67 arrests (15 per cent) involved drivers under 25 and 381 (85 per cent) were 25 and over. 

• Additional enforcement included traffic offence reports for speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, mobile phone use and drink/drug driving known as the ‘Fatal Four’. 

Department for Transport data indicates that around one in five fatal road collisions involves a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs.  

Offending historically rises over Christmas as more people attend festive events, increasing risk on the roads. 

The Government has recently announced that the drink‑drive limit in England and Wales is set to be reduced as part of an effort to improve road safety. 

The current limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath. Under the new strategy, this may reduce to 22 micrograms, bringing England and Wales into line with Scotland, which introduced the lower limit in 2014. 

The wider campaign forms part of Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Vision Zero which is aimed to eliminate road death and life-changing injury by 2040. 

Chief Inspector Michael Parker, Safer Transport Team, said: “These figures show that too many people are still choosing to get behind the wheel while impaired, placing themselves and others at serious risk. 

“Our officers were out across Greater Manchester throughout December, and the arrests we made represent our commitment to keeping roads safe during one of the busiest times of the year. 

“We have seen a decrease in arrests this year from the previous two years with 570 arrests made last year (December 2024) and 507 arrests the year before that (December 2023). 

“This is a year-round focus for us as we see first-hand how drink and drug driving destroys lives. We will continue to target offenders and support Vision Zero’s ambition to eliminate death and serious injury on our roads by 2040.” 

Even though the festive period is over, GMP’s work continues as it urges the public to report anyone they suspect may be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. 

Information can be passed via 101, through LiveChat, or, anonymously, through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

Always call 999 in an emergency.