OFFICERS are giving a fresh warning on the dangers of drink driving after a suspected drink drive incident led to a lucky escape for two people in Gloucester.

A car came off the A40 near Gloucester and went into a field, crashing into a ditch with a tree branch spearing the windscreen.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Chief Inspector Al Barby said: “It puts everything into context really - why we are running this drink drive campaign and what the consequences can be.

“The picture says it all - this couple are very lucky to be alive.”

Fortunately, the two occupants only needed treatment for non-serious injuries, but the driver blew positive at the roadside and officers are now waiting for the result of blood tests to determine if the man will be charged.

Breath tests have been carried out every day of the campaign with over 700 completed so far, and 53 arrests for drink and drug driving offences during this year’s crackdown.

Compared to 40 at the same time last year, although the percentage of drivers providing positive breath tests is down, of the 53 people arrested, 33 were held on suspicion of drink driving, with 24 charged and due to appear at court soon.

A total of 20 people have been arrested on suspicion of drug driving as a result of drug swab tests that can indicate the presence of cocaine or cannabis, many of which have been released under investigation while officers wait for blood test results.

Chief Inspector Barby, who leads the Specialist Operations Team said: “We’ve been to every corner of the county so far and carried out more breath tests than we did last year.”

“It’s all part of the work we are doing to deliver the safe and social driving priority of our police and crime plan.

“The arrests for this year’s campaign are up but the fact that the proportion of people blowing positive at the roadside has gone down is encouraging.

“From our perspective the easiest way to avoid problems is to make sure it’s none for the road,” he added.