19.12.22 – Drink or Drive Campaign, Light a candle for Longest Night, Illegal Taxi’s in Staffordshire

Officers from Staffordshire Police have been patrolling the county, stopping vehicles and speaking to a number of drivers, as they look to reduce the amount of drink and drug drivers on the roads over the festive period.
Since the start of the World Cup last month, the Roads Policing Unit have arrested 46 people for drink driving and 21 for drug driving in Staffordshire*.
This proactive work supports the forces annual drinkORdrive campaign, which launched in November, and aims to highlight the ways in which people can avoid drink driving during the party season by planning ahead.
There are dedicated resources on patrol around the clock carrying out random roadside checks in hotspot areas on drivers they suspect may be driving under the influence of drinks or drugs.

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People in Staffordshire are being reminded that they’re not alone during their darkest hours this Christmas and New Year as part of a new campaign.

Staffordshire County Council has partnered with Staffordshire Samaritans to illuminate windows and buildings green across the county on Wednesday 21st December, the longest night of the year.

The campaign aims to remind residents and anyone in need that the Samaritans will be there for them, with its support line open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

People are encouraged to join on the longest night by shining a green light in their window and displaying a poster next Wednesday –  21^st December,

www.staffordshire.gov.uk/longestnight.

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Illegal taxis have been reported for prosecution after Staffordshire Police completed a successful operation in North Staffordshire.  Local officers from the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) teamed up with Stafford Borough Council, Newcastle-Under-Lyme Borough Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the DVSA to target illegal taxi plying in Stone on 26 November.

The team went out on patrol to check if taxis were operating lawfully, checking things like …. Insurance, sensible fares, speeding, roadworthiness and correct driving licence entitlement.   They were observed through the night, resulting in eight taxis being reported for various motor offences.