JEREMY Scott at leading Yorkshire legal firm Lupton Fawcett LLP reviews Operation Attention, North Yorkshire Police’s 2020 Christmas campaign.

Sadly, national research shows that drink driving and drug driving has increased substantially during lockdown - officers fear that this could be compounded by the recent reopening of the hospitality sector.

This year roadside breath tests will be focused in rural areas as well as in towns and cities.

There will also be a greater targeting of suspected drug-driving. Department for Transport statistics reveal that this is becoming a greater problem, as drug-driving crashes across Great Britain have doubled in five years.

It is illegal to drive if either you are unfit to do so due to being under the influence of illegal or certain legal drugs, or if you have certain levels of drugs in your blood even if they have not affected your driving.

If you fail a roadside test for alcohol or drugs, you will be arrested and taken to a police station for further tests, possibly involving blood and urine.

If over the limit for drink or drugs, you will be prosecuted and the consequences could include a driving ban for at least 12 months and a large fine; a prison sentence of up to six months; publicity; job loss; trouble getting into countries like the USA; a huge increase in car insurance costs, and some companies won’t insure you.

If you are involved in an accident which leads to a fatality after consuming drugs or alcohol you could face a possible 14-year prison sentence.

Jeremy said: “It is easy to underestimate how much alcohol remains in your system the morning after. It is far safer not to drive the day after a big night out. Residues from some drugs can stay in your system for days or weeks, so you should not be driving after consuming such drugs”

If you are in difficulty, contact road traffic experts Jeremy Scott or Meghan Waldron 24/7 at Lupton Fawcett on 07971 520407 or at jeremy.scott@luptonfawcett.law