Exmouth crash highlights persistent drink-driving concern

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious traffic collision outside Home Bargains on Salterton Road, Exmouth, which left a woman in her 70s with life-threatening injuries.

The incident occurred around 2:30pm on Friday, January 10, when a silver Nissan Almera collided with the pedestrian. The woman, who is from Honiton, was rushed to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where she remains in critical condition.

A man in his 50s from Exmouth was arrested at the scene on suspicion of drink driving and causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving. He has since been released on bail until April 2, 2025 while investigations continue.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police’s Roads Policing Team are leading the inquiry and are urging anyone who witnessed the collision or has dashcam footage to come forward. They ask anyone with information to contact them online or by calling 101, quoting log number 455 of 10/01/25.

The collision highlights ongoing concerns about drink driving in Exeter and the surrounding areas. Despite public awareness campaigns, drink driving remains a significant issue, with police in Devon and Cornwall regularly arresting individuals for being over the limit.

In December 2023, during a targeted operation by Devon and Cornwall Police, 354 breathalyser tests were conducted, leading to 91 arrests for drink driving. Additionally, 97 roadside drug tests resulted in 50 arrests for drug driving. These figures underscore the persistent risks posed by impaired drivers on the region's roads.

More broadly, by the end of November 2024, Devon and Cornwall Police reported making over 3,000 arrests for impaired driving offences, highlighting the scale of the problem across the two counties.

Authorities continue to stress the dangers of drink driving, pointing out that even small amounts of alcohol can impair reaction times and judgment, putting lives at risk. Police are urging motorists to plan ahead by using alternatives such as taxis, designated drivers, or public transport if they intend to drink.

Stagecoach has a night bus service called Uni Bus that runs on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights from midnight to 4am. The buses connect the University of Exeter Streatham Campus with Exeter High Street and Duryard, and run every 30 minutes. 

This tragic incident in Exmouth serves as a stark reminder of the potentially devastating consequences of driving under the influence.