If you’re planning to drink this Bank Holiday weekend, make sure you make arrangements for how you will get home safely, without being intoxicated behind the wheel.

Yesterday (1 April) was the start of the national month-long Operation Spotlight campaign aimed at tackling the Fatal Four of:

• Speeding

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• Failure to wear a seatbelt

• Being distracted at the wheel

On the first day, officers stopped a driver on the M6 at Hackthorpe who blew more than double the drink-drive limit and was arrested.

He was subsequently charged with drink-driving and bailed to attend Carlisle Magistrates’ Court on 28 April 2026.

Officers also arrested a 50-year-old driver who had been stopped by the DVSA after he provided a positive drugs wipe for cannabis. He was subsequently released under investigation to allow for further enquiries including test results to be completed.

Officers also stopped a works van near Burton-in-Kendal following concerns about the material being transported being insecure.

The driver – a 46-year-old man - undertook a drugs wipe which was positive for cannabis. He was subsequently released under investigation to allow for further enquiries including test results to be completed.