"I've only had two."

"I didn't feel drunk."

"It has never been a problem before."

Police officers hear excuses, like those mentioned above, on a daily basis when they pull over drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

That's why this year, Suffolk Police are calling on the public to consider there really is #NoExcuse when it comes to getting behind the wheel if you've had a drink or taken drugs.

Thanks to campaigns such as this, in the last 50 years, casualties on the road caused by drink driving has fallen dramatically. However, we recognise the temptation to drink and drive does increase over the festive period.

Alcohol is not the only threat to road safety. The Department for Transport have found a six-fold increase in the number of people caught driving whilst under the influence of drugs.

Combining drink and drugs and then choosing to drive can have catastrophic consequences as drivers who have consumed both are 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision.

Chief Inspector Vicky McParland, Head of the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: "It is important to recognise that the risk does not end with your night out. Most drink drive offences are committed between 7pm and 7am. You need to be mindful that you may still be over the limit the morning after if you have drunk alcohol or for several days if you have taken drugs."

This year's campaign starts today (Friday 1 December 2023) and will finish on Monday 1 January 2024.

Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies have also secured funding from National Highways which will be used to purchase additional drug wipes to be used throughout the campaign. This funding will help to expand our testing capability and ultimately increase our chances detecting drug drivers on our roads.

Lawrence Seager, Regional Safety Programme Manager from National Highways said: "Driving whilst under the influence of drugs is not only illegal, but extremely dangerous, affecting driving behaviour in numerous ways.

"This can include impairment of awareness, judgment and reaction times, putting both the user and other road users in danger.

It has no place in our communities and so National Highways fully supports this campaign."

Tim Passmore, Police & Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said: "There is absolutely no excuse for anyone to get behind the wheel of a vehicle if they are unfit to drive. We all know drink and drug driving kills.

"I know the vast majority of drivers are responsible but sadly there are still those, who despite the obvious dangers, insist on taking to the road under the influence of drink or drugs. My message to those irresponsible drivers, who have chosen to ignore the law, is take heed, our road policing officers are out across the county all day, every day and if you get caught you will be prosecuted.

"I fully support Suffolk Constabulary in this campaign; it sends out a very clear message, do not drink/drug drive. There's absolutely no excuse."

Anyone with information about suspected drink or drug driving should contact Suffolk Police via the following channels:

Report online: https://www.suffolk.police.uk/tell-us   

Phone: 101 

Crimestoppers: Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

In case of an emergency, or if you believe a crime is in progress, always dial 999.

Don't forget to follow the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team on Twitter @NSRAPT or updates throughout the campaign.