A FURTHER 17 motorists, including a Godalming driver, have been fined and disqualified as a result of a joint Surrey and Sussex Police crackdown on dangerous driving between December 1 and January 2.

A total of 154 drivers were arrested over the festive period and 61 were charged with offences regarding driving under the influence of drink and drugs.

Under current legislation, an individual can receive up to 14 years in prison if they cause death by careless driving while under the influence of intoxicating substances. But under new government proposals, motorists face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Supt Chris Moon, of the Surrey Police and Sussex Police Road Policing Units said: “We’re extremely disappointed so many people still decide to drive under the influence of drink or drugs, putting themselves and others at significant risk of being killed or seriously injured, despite our repeated warnings.

“While we drew specific attention to this issue during the festive period, don’t think the end of our dedicated campaign means you’re off the hook.

“There is no place for driving under the influence on Surrey’s roads and we’ll still proactively and reactively respond to reports of drink and drug-drivers throughout the year, and those caught will be dealt with robustly.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their support, in particular those who have reported incidents to us.

“If you are out with friends or work colleagues and someone is intending to drive while under the influence, our message is – ‘Be brave!’ – try and talk them out of it or suggest other ways of getting home.

“But if you know someone is currently driving while over the limit or after taking drugs, please call 999.”

Of those charged, 17 more have now been though court proceedings and convicted of the following:

•Kris Hill of Green Lane, Godalming, Surrey, received a fine of £120 and has been disqualified for 20 months

•Sean Pumphrey of Trenchard Park, Bordon, East Hampshire, received a fine of £300 and has been disqualified for 12 months

•Joseph Baker of Ash Vale, Aldershot received a fine of £600 and has been disqualified for 12 months

•Benjamin Bateman of Ascot Course, Aldershot, Hampshire, received a fine of £100 and has been disqualified for 12 months

•Martin Johnson of Worplesdon Road, Guildford, Surrey, received a fine of £500 and has been disqualified for 36 months

•James Painter, of Dorking, Surrey, received a fine of £250 and has been disqualified for 12 months

•Thomas Cunningham of Cross Lane, Camberley, received a fine of £600 and has been disqualified for 12 months

•Shariar Khan, of Merstham, Redhill, received a fine of £100 and has been disqualified for 12 months

•Maria Patti of West Molesey, Surrey, received a fine of £200 and has been disqualified for 18 months

•Catherine Amiri of Elizabethan Way, Stanwell, Staines-Upon-Thames, Surrey, received a fine of £120 and has been disqualified for 20 months

•Peter Reilly, of Lower Kingswood, Tadworth, Surrey, received a fine of £300 and has been disqualified for 3 years

•Matthew Elcome of Kingswood, Tadworth, Surrey, received a fine of £400 and has been disqualified for 12 months

•Imran Sheikh, of Earley, Reading, Berkshire, received a fine of £120 and has been disqualified for 18 months

•Diogo Lopes of Earley, Reading, received a fine of £325 and has been disqualified for 18 months

•Noga Piotr, of Thornton Heath, Croydon, Surrey, received a fine of £120 and has been disqualified for 17 months

•Kelsey McDine of Reigate Road, Epsom, Surrey, received a fine of £120 and has been disqualified for 12 months

You can report a driver you suspect of having committed a drink-drive offency by going online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org to make contact them anonymously, call 0800 555111.