A CHIEF Constable says she is fearful of more drug driving deaths – with six people already having died in the past year.
According to police, drink and drug driving are the most common causes of fatal crashes on the roads in Sussex.
In the past year, there have been six crashes involving a drug driver in Sussex that have resulted in a death.
In an attempt to combat the rising levels of drink and drug driving, Sussex Police launched Operation Dragonfly – a campaign which increased the number of officers dedicated to carrying out roadside checks.
Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner says the issue of drug driving is getting worse.
“Innocent people die on our roads. The person who has killed them has to live with the consequences of that, they may lose their job, they may go to prison,” she said.
“But more importantly, the family and loved ones of the innocent person have to live with the consequences.
“The fact we are seeing increases in the number of people who are driving while under the influence of drugs who think that is okay is shocking in itself.”
In the past year, 14 people have died on the roads in Sussex as a result of drink and drug driving.
During the first week of Operation Dragonfly, officers stopped more than 700 motorists across Sussex. In that time, 51 arrests were made.
More than half - 28 - of the arrests were for drug driving.
The campaign will run until January 1.
“Of course, we would like to come down to zero offenders,” Chief Constable Shiner added.
She said she hopes the campaign will help make drug driving as socially unacceptable as drink driving or not wearing a seat-belt.
“Drink driving will always remain a key concern but there is now much greater awareness and challenge, and in some respects, it can be easier to spot. That’s not the same for drug driving,” she said.
“We’re only seeing it go up. In particular, the number of people who are repeat offenders.
“The misery that is caused by those people who drive particularly under the influence of drug or drink is unacceptable.”
During a week-long campaign in Sussex in August, 57 per cent of the 52 drivers tested for drugs showed a positive result. The most common drugs tested for are cannabis and cocaine.
A month earlier, almost 100 people were arrested in connection with a huge illegal rave in a field in Steyning.
A total of 79 of the arrests were for motoring offences – drink or drug-driving, or failing to provide a specimen for analysis, while a further 11 arrests were made for public nuisance and disorder offences.
“At the Steyning rave, we arrested over 60 people driving under the influence of drugs and drink. That is just not acceptable,” Chief Constable Shiner added.
Anyone convicted of drug driving can expect a minimum one year driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to six months’ in prison and a criminal record.
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