HGV drivers in Wales have been arrested for being over the drink drive limit in the police’s annual Christmas anti drink and drug drive campaign.
One, Olegs Markusonoks, was arrested after being stopped on the A55 near Bodelwyddan following a report made by a concerned member of the public.
The 57-year-old Lithuanian national failed the roadside breath test and was taken to custody and later charged with drink driving.
He was remanded to appear before Llandudno Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty and was disqualified from driving for 12 months, fined £500, ordered to pay £85 costs and a £200 victim surcharge.
North Wales police said another HGV driver arrested as part of its campaign had been charged and will appear before Caernarfon Magistrates Court next month.
The 34-year-old man was arrested by officers from the roads crime unit on 10 December after providing a positive roadside breath test near Rhosneigr on Anglesey.
The force added that it had made almost 100 arrests so far since the start of the campaign on 1 December up to Tuesday this week (16 Dec); 36 for drink driving and 61 for drug drive offences.
So far, there has been a 25% increase in those testing positive for cocaine at the roadside (12 to 15) and a 117.8% increase in the number of drug drive arrests (28 to 61) when compared to the same period last year.
Most drug drive arrests were made on Mondays, Tuesdays and Sundays. Most drink drive arrests have been made on Saturdays and Sundays.
Sergeant Emma Birrell of the roads crime unit said: “We have a zero-tolerance approach to drink and drug driving all year round, but our December campaign sees us conducting extensive patrols across the region.
“We’ve carried out several operations in areas such as Llandudno, Bontddu, Menai Bridge, Bangor, Towyn and Queensferry which thankfully, resulted in all drivers providing negative readings. Other offences - such driving with no licence, no insurance, no valid MOT and using a mobile phone were also discovered.”
