Kent's worst Christmas drink-drivers revealed

Police say some of those they pulled over could barely stand while others had no idea they were even over the limit.  Oliver Leader de Saxe reports.

Transcript

00:00How much have you had to drink mate?

00:02I don't know.

00:04It's 0051, you're under arrest for over the prescribed limit of alcohol and whilst unfit for alcohol, alright?

00:09So you don't have to say anything, it may harm your defence, do not mention or question something that you're later on in court.

00:13Anything you do say may be given in evidence, okay?

00:15While it might be a dry January for many of us, for those arrested by Kent Police over the festive period,

00:22for drink and drug driving, like this Gillingham driver,

00:26the new year could be a little more sobering than usual.

00:31Between the 1st of December and the 1st of January,

00:34316 motorists in the county were arrested as part of a month-long enforcement operation,

00:43including one on Headcorn High Street, who went to buy more alcohol after crashing on New Year's Eve.

00:50The time is currently 3 minutes past 1, currently under arrest, driving whilst unfit for drink.

00:56In a second, we're going to be doing a breath test procedure to see how much you've had to drink.

01:00What is this?

01:02Hmm?

01:03What is this?

01:04What's this? You've been arrested.

01:06It's Eddie.

01:08Right, while we do, say that for a sec.

01:10No, no, drop it.

01:11Put it down there.

01:13Drink and drug driving are considered as some of the main fatal factors

01:17that put you at risk behind the wheel, impacting your reaction times and ability to judge speed and distance.

01:25Like I say, your pupils are massive, you're swerving all around.

01:28You're slurring your words.

01:30You've just sprayed a load of aftershave.

01:32Yeah, I know.

01:33Is that to hide alcohol or weed?

01:35Time is 22.54 and you're under arrest for driving whilst unfit for drugs.

01:40Okay, and possession of Class B.

01:43It's also a life-changing crime, carrying the risk of a criminal record,

01:48a maximum penalty of six months in prison, an unlimited fine,

01:53and an automatic driving ban of at least one year.

01:57Kent Police say that tackling drink and drug driving is not just for Christmas,

02:03but a year-round commitment.

02:06And while the people arrested in the body cam footage have been bailed pending inquiries,

02:12the message is clear.

02:14Know your limit before it's too late.

02:17Oliver, leader of the SACs for KMTV.