Drug-driving had 'such an impact' on my family
Rachael's brother, Michael, died instantly when the car hit a lamppost and a church wall
- Published
A Kent woman has issued a stark warning to drivers not to use drink or drugs before getting behind the wheel over the festive period after her brother was killed by a drug-driver.
Rachel Weston's brother, Michael Owen, was killed in 2015 when the Renault Clio he was travelling in crashed into a wall in Crowborough, East Sussex.
Ms Weston, from Tonbridge, told BBC South East: "This has had such an impact on our family. Michael had a young daughter who has grown up without a father. I lost a brother and my mother lost a son.
"I remember the scream my mum let out when when she found out he died and that will stay with me. I can't do anything to change that."
'It doesn't have to end in tragedy'
Michael died instantly when the car hit a lamppost and a wall.
Ms Weston added: "Both Michael and his friend, who was driving, had drugs in their systems.
"People in their 20s who want to blow off steam may use recreational drugs or drink, but they shouldn't get behind the wheel afterwards.
"It puts themselves at risk and it doesn't have to end in tragedy - people can stay round a friend's house or get a taxi to where they need to go."
Over 500 arrests were made across Surrey and Sussex in 2023
Across Surrey and Sussex in December 2023, 11,013 vehicle stops were recorded – 5,023 in Surrey and 5,990 in Sussex over 32 days.
Over 500 drink and drug-driving arrests were made across the two counties - 304 in Sussex and 208 in Surrey.
This was a significant increase from the previous year, when Sussex Police stopped 2,430 drivers and Surrey Police stopped 1,649 drivers.
Supt Rachel Glenton, head of Surrey and Sussex Roads Policing Unit, said both forces would be carrying out "increased patrols and stop checks".
“We will deal robustly with offenders. Our officers could be anywhere and there really is no excuse for drivers who put their own safety and the safety of everyone else at risk," she said.
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- Published11 hours ago
