Devon and Cornwall Police received updated operational guidance on February 18, 2026, to help officers better identify and stop drink-drivers in Torquay, Devon. The update aims to make the streets safer by giving police refreshed training and better tools to spot motorists who are driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The new guidance includes a special training package for officers that covers station procedures, drug wipes, and a specific coordination test called FITDIRT. According to a report from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, these steps will significantly increase the ability of the force to test drivers at the roadside.
Torquay has been identified as a priority area for these checks after recording 135 drink-driving offences during the 2023-2024 period. A recent targeted operation in the town, known as Operation SD25, led to the arrest of four drivers and the seizure of nine vehicles, according to Devon and Cornwall Police.
The updated tactics are part of a wider effort to reduce the number of serious accidents on local roads by focusing on the most common causes of road deaths. These include drink and drug driving, speeding, using mobile phones, not wearing seatbelts, and careless driving.
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