ESSEX Police is continuing its robust approach to road safety through Operation Limit, a designated campaign targeting drug and drink driving across the county. 

A spokesperson said: “Our commitment has proven so effective in identifying drink and drug drivers that in six months, our Roads Policing Unit officers have made a significant number of arrests through specific days of action, arresting a total of 234 people with 162 suspected drug drivers and 19 drink drivers. 

Between January and June, Operation Limit has been conducted almost weekly, with a total of 17 operations carried out so far this year across Colchester, Southend, Clacton, Chelmsford, Basildon, and Canvey Island.

This operation adopts a zero-tolerance approach to moving traffic offences, which often serve as a gateway to roadside drug and alcohol testing, allowing officers to focus on enforcement duties.

Operation Limit directly supports the Vision Zero ambition of eliminating road deaths in Essex by 2040 or sooner. Its importance is accentuated by a troubling rise in fatalities: 31 people have lost their lives on Essex roads this year, compared to 19 during the same period in 2024.

Beyond road safety, the operation demonstrates the cross-cutting capability of roads policing. Officers have uncovered a range of other offences, including drug supply, drug possession and vehicle crime. The link between road safety and vehicle legality is also evident, with over 500 vehicles seized monthly for insurance and licence offences.

Operation Limit key results to date:

• Arrests: 234

• Drug Driving: 162

• Drink Driving: 19

• Immigration Offences: 23

• Possession with Intent to Supply Drugs: 7

• Other Crimes: 23

• Traffic Offence Reports (TOR): 2,156

• Vehicle seizures (no insurance/no tax/stolen): 253

• Speeding offences captured on camera: 823

“Participating officers remain committed to protecting all road users, with a particular focus on drug driving and excessive speed, both of which continue to pose significant risks”.

Operation Limit is not just about enforcement—it’s about saving lives.

Mr. Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing said: “Operation Limit has clearly demonstrated the serious risks we all face when using our urban, rural, and strategic road networks. The results are deeply concerning and should serve as a wake-up call to everyone.

This operation has been designed to maintain our frontline operational capability. Once an individual is arrested, they are transferred to the care of a dedicated custody team, allowing our officers to return to the roads swiftly and continue their vital work.

We know that excessive speed remains the second highest contributing factor in all injury-related road traffic collisions. However, this operation has also brought to light the alarming prevalence of drug driving – specifically under the influence of cannabis and cocaine.

Our communities must lead the way in demanding change—changing perceptions, challenging dangerous behaviours, and recognising the stark reality this operation has revealed.

Tragically, Essex Roads Policing Unit officers have already had to deliver the devastating news of a loved one’s death to 32 families across the county this year. These are not just statistics—they are lives lost and families shattered.”

Essex Police urges all drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs.

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Together, we can save lives and make our roads safer for everyone.

Media Guidance.

Operation Limit is our annual Christmas drink drive campaign. It was so successful, it was continued on an almost weekly basis. 

These figures do not include all arrests across the various teams, they are a reflection of 17 dedicated days of action by RPU officers.

Across the COUNTRY, during the 2024–2025 festive period – 

Police conducted 58,675 roadside tests for drink and/or drug driving with 42.2% of drug wipe tests returned positive results, indicating a high prevalence of drug driving.

A total of 6,931 arrests were made for drink and drug driving offences, with 2,782 of those involving both substances.

Men accounted for 85% of all offences, and 79% of offenders were aged 25 or older.

14.5% of drivers tested after collisions were found to be under the influence of alcohol, the highest rate since 2019 

According to the NPCC, nearly 20% of fatal collisions in 2023 involved drink or drug-related factors.