DRINK-DRIVERS in the Wellington area are being warned by police that the prospect of them spending time in the cells over Christmas is ‘very high’.

The blunt message came from Sgt Dan Bishop when he spoke with members of Wellington Town Council at their latest meeting, held via Zoom video conferencing technology.

Sgt Bishop, of Wellington Police, said officers would be out in force over the Christmas period as part of Avon and Somerset Police’s annual Operation Tonic drink and drug driving campaign.

The campaign got under way on December 1 with the aim of reducing fatal and serious road traffic collisions and protecting other road-users.

“We will be policing the roads of Wellington throughout the festive period and the chances of drink and drug drivers being caught, losing their licence and spending time in one of our cells over Christmas is very high,” he said.

“We understand that this year has been incredibly difficult for most of us and we want people to celebrate Christmas and enjoy themselves – however, 2020 has been a year of personal responsibility and this must be extended to the festive season.

“We need drivers to be aware that there is absolutely no excuse for getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.”

In December 2019, Avon and Somerset Police charged 130 people with driving or being in charge of a vehicle when under the influence of drink or drugs.

This year’s drink-drive operation comes after research carried out by Drinkaware showed that 22 per cent of people in the UK – about 11.7 million – are drinking more since the lockdown began.

Data also reveals that those who are drinking more are likely to be doing so on more days than usual, having their first alcoholic drink earlier in the day, drinking alone, finding it difficult to stop at one drink or drinking to cope with the day.

While the initial lockdown saw dramatically fewer cars on the roads, the number of vehicles is almost back at normal levels and, with busier than usual roads predicted over Christmas between December 23 and 27, police are keen to remind motorists that getting into the driving seat could carry severe consequences.