DOZENS of drivers have already been arrested as part of Wiltshire Police‘s Christmas crackdown on drink and drug driving.

A total of 47 arrests have been made as part of the seasonal operation, which got underway on December 1.

The scheme has seen officers from the Roads Policing Unit and neighbourhood officers make the arrests, averaging more than two each day.

And this morning (December 19), a van driver was stopped with a suspected overloaded vehicle on the M4 by RPU.

Further checks showed the vehicle had no insurance and a roadside drug wipe was carried out which tested positive for cannabis. The driver was arrested and taken to custody.

Sgt Neil Bott said: “This vehicle initially came to our attention due to it appearing to be overloaded.

“It also had multiple lighting defects and when officers stopped the vehicle they could smell cannabis immediately.

“The roads in Wiltshire are wet this morning, and to be driving a vehicle in such poor condition, with no insurance and under the influence of drugs is totally unacceptable and extremely dangerous.”

READ MORE: Wiltshire Police launches Christmas drink and drug driving crackdown

The Drink/Drug Drive campaign runs for the month of December and sees officers carrying out early morning and late-night vehicle checks, targeting individuals who appear over the limit or under the influence of illegal drugs.

A/Insp Will Ayres added: “Officers have been working hard to keep our roads as safe as possible over the festive period, when more people are out and about at Christmas parties perhaps consuming more alcohol than they normally would and then failing to plan their journey home in advance.

“Our message to these people is please don’t risk it – getting behind the wheel of your car having consumed alcohol or illegal drugs puts your life and the lives of other road users at risk. Please plan your journey home in advance if you know you are going to be drinking.”