A NEW campaign aimed at getting drink and drug drivers off the road has captured its first suspect.

A suspected drug driver was arrested during a road safety operation in Clacton yesterday following the launch of an Essex Police Christmas anti-drink and drug driving campaign.

During the operation a 39-year-old from Colchester was arrested on suspicion of drug driving and possession of cannabis at around 10.30am.

He has since been released on bail pending further investigation until January 24, 2017.

An elderly driver, 96, had his licence revoked after he failed an eyesight test at the side of the road.

Officers requested his licence immediately be revoked by the DVLA using the fast-track procedure introduced in 2013.

The man will need to have his eyesight tested and corrected should he wish to apply for his licence back.

Adam Pipe, casualty reduction manager for Essex Police, said: "The arrest on suspicion of drug driving came on the eve of the launch of our Christmas anti-drink and drug driving campaign.

"The introduction of roadside drug testing kits means we're better equipped than ever to detect drug drivers on our roads.

"I hope this arrest serves as a warning to others if you take drugs and drive, it's only a matter of time before you’re caught and put before the courts.”

Road policing officers teamed up with colleagues from the Safer Essex Roads Partnership to run the operation, aimed at increasing road safety and detecting offenders on the roads.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology was used to identify suspect vehicles which were then intercepted by police motorcyclists and taken to stop-check sites at both Olivers Road and Brook Country Park.

A total of 56 people were found not to be wearing a seatbelt and 13 drivers were found using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

Four vehicles were seized because their drivers did not have appropriate insurance and nine were found not to have valid MOTs.

Three drivers were issued with vehicle defect rectification notices and given a period of 14 days to resolve the problem or face prosecution, points on their licence and/or a fine.

A total of 142 speeding offences were also detected in Clacton.