Police launch Christmas drink drive campaign
Throughout December Devon and Cornwall Police officers will be turning up the heat on drink and drug driving.
Any drivers involved in a collision and any motorists whose driving may lead police to suspect they are under the influence of drink will be breathalysed. If drug driving is suspected they may have to undergo a roadside sobriety test.
Roads Policing Inspector Richard Pryce said: “Drink driving cannot be tolerated at any time of the year but we will ensure very close attention is being paid over the festive period. Our message is clear and simple: don’t drink and drive.”
He added: “It is 50 years this year since the first anti drink drive messages were published in the UK and it is criminal that while there has been a big reduction in those who are detected over the limit, it is still far too many.
Police are also emphasising that the affects of a collision caused by driving with impaired judgment due to drink or drugs extend much further than initial damage, injury or fatalities.
Inspector Pryce continued: “The punishments are severe, not only from what a court may pass as a sentence, but the ongoing consequential effects. If convicted of drink driving you will have a criminal record, lose your licence and potentially your livelihood, you could spend time in prison and receive a hefty fine. Convictions can also significantly increase insurance premiums and prevent travel to certain countries. More importantly they risk causing a death or serious injury on the roads.”
Preventing death or injury is as simple as pre-booking a taxi back from a party or if in a group, having an alcohol free designated driver. The public can also play their part in helping police reduce incidences of drink and drug driving by reporting drivers.
Inspector Pryce said: “If you know someone is driving whilst impaired, we encourage you to do the responsible thing and report it to the police. This could save a life or at least prevent serious injury.
“If someone is drinking and driving now, call 999. To report someone who regularly drinks and drives, call police on 101 or email 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
In 1967 there were 1,640 road deaths due to drink driving, falling to 230 in 2012. The message from Devon and Cornwall Police is that this is still too many.
This year 92% of people surveyed in the South West agreed that drink driving was unacceptable, and 93% said they would feel ashamed if they were caught drinking and driving.
