ST HELENS saw 19 motorists arrested in relation to drink and drug driving offences in December - as the number of cases increased across the region.

In particular, driving offences involving drugs saw a spike in Merseyside during December, with a 50 per cent rise on 12 months previously.

National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) figures show 135 drivers in the region tested positive for drug driving during December 2017, compared with 89 during the same period in 2016.

The latest figure for December is part of 1,248 drug driving arrests which were recorded in Merseyside during 2017, a 50 per cent hike on the 801 in 2016.

Also, 124 drivers were stopped in the region during the Christmas period in relation to drink driving, compared to 111 for the same period in 2016.

In St Helens 109 breath tests were carried out in December, leading to 10 arrests in relation to drink driving.

Meanwhile, there were nine arrests in the area over drug driving offences.

Rebecca Power, co-ordinator for Merseyside Road Safety Partnership, said: “The latest figures show that drug driving is clearly becoming a very serious problem in Merseyside, not only during the Christmas period but throughout the rest of the year.

“Motorists who drug drive are just as irresponsible as those driving under the influence of alcohol and they put lives at risk, including their own, in exactly the same way.

“As a Partnership it is important we take action to target this issue, particularly as many drivers may mistakenly believe they are less likely to be caught drug driving than drink driving. With the detection methods now available this is no longer the case.”

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy added: “The figures revealed by this crackdown over the Christmas period are deeply troubling.

“It is completely unacceptable to get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs. Not only are these individuals putting themselves at risk, they are endangering the lives of other innocent road users. It is irresponsible, reckless and selfish.

“Drug drivers must take heed, roadside drug testing is being carried out and, be warned, Merseyside Police will take robust action against anyone caught. The sentence for drug driving, if it causes death or serious injury currently carries a sentence of up to 14 years in prison, but the anguish and heartbreak caused to the victims and their families can last a lifetime.”

Casualty reduction officer Paul Mountford from the Roads Policing Unit at Merseyside Police said: “It is disappointing that we have seen an increase in motorists arrested for drug and drink driving. While they represent a small minority of drivers, I cannot stress enough the danger that these people present, not just to themselves, but to other road users too.

“The consequences of being caught can be life-changing, we will remain vigilant throughout 2018 to find those drivers who present a risk to other road users.”