Police reveal worrying number of taxi drivers arrested over drink and drug driving
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Merseyside Police urged taxi drivers to consider how customers "trust you to be legal and safe" following latest arrest
Image: Twitter/Merseyside Road Policing Unit
Police say 19 cabbies have been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol so far in December.
Stops of both Hackney cabs and private hire vehicles have led to tests revealing those behind the wheel may have been unsafe to drive.
The arrests have come while Merseyside Police has embarked on a Christmas campaign targeting drivers putting others at risk.
In a social media post published on Sunday evening, the force's roads policing unit explained it had made its 19th cabbie arrest of the month for drink or drug driving.
Of those questioned, 10 have held Liverpool licences, seven have operated from Sefton and two from Knowsley.
The RPU warned: "Just 1 is too many! People trust you to be safe and legal."
In November the ECHO revealed how 40 taxi drivers had been arrested for drug driving in the first 11 months of 2018.
The figures led to Inspector Keith Kellett warning: "Drug driving is a serious offence and leaves our communities vulnerable.
"All motorists have a duty of care to themselves, those they are travelling with and other road users which is why it is particularly important that taxi drivers and private hire companies consider the risks they may be putting themselves and others in if they’re found to be driving whilst using drugs."
Merseyside Police launched a Christmas campaign targeting drink and drug drivers on December 1.
The scheme, named Operation Nemesis, has led to roadside checks being carried out across the region for the four consecutive festive season.
The law made it illegal to drive with certain drugs above specified blood levels in the body whether driving is impaired or not. These limits are set at low levels for illegal drugs such as cannabis and cocaine.
