POLICE have issued another warning to motorists after a spate arrests for drink and drug driving across North Wales, including one driver who was caught twice in one day.

North Wales Police’s Roads Policing Unit made 14 arrests on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs from Friday to Sunday, November 8-10. They included arrests in Bala, Llanddulas, Caerwys, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, Abergele, Wrexham and Llanfairfechan.

A man was stopped on the A55 in Bangor on Friday afternoon and taken into police custody after a positive test for cannabis and cocaine. He was released following further testing and put under investigation with advice not to drive for 24 hours. However later that day officers were informed the same man was walking along the carriageway to get to his van, which was parked at a nearby junction.

The man had started driving his van back to Manchester when a roads unit officer caught up with him in Ewloe and arrested him for a second failed drugs test.

Sergeant Trystan Bevan said that despite repeated warnings “people are still choosing to risk their own lives and the lives of other road users by taking to the roads whilst under the influence”.

“The man who was arrested twice in the space of a few hours now has an anxious wait for the test results,” he said. “If convicted of drug driving he could face being disqualified from driving, a fine, a prison sentence and a criminal record.

“A drug drive conviction also means greater insurance costs and the possibility of being unable to travel to countries such as the USA.”

Sgt Bevan said the force is set to launch its annual ‘Our Christmas Anti Drink and Drug Drive Campaign’ to “continue in our efforts to change driver behaviour in order to make our roads safer”.

“We do act on information given to us and urge anybody who may have information about individuals driving whilst under the influence to contact us or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111,” he added.