Stark warning for drivers who drink

Dec 1 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

DRIVERS in the North East are being warned that a festive tipple could see them end up behind bars this Christmas as a hard-hitting road safety campaign is launched today.

The £1.6m THINK! campaign will be launched by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick in an effort to reduce the number of drink-related accidents on the roads over the festive period.

This year, the Department for Transport’s campaign is being supported by Coca-Cola, with designated drivers receiving free soft drinks at thousands of pubs across Britain. In the Northumbria Police area last year, three people were killed and 39 seriously injured in collisions where alcohol was a contributory factor.

Meanwhile, in Durham four people were killed on the roads last year where alcohol was a factor.

Alongside the campaign, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) will co-ordinate a nationwide police operation to tackle drink and drug driving.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: “Drink-driving ruins lives. Last year 460 people died and families across Britain were devastated by the menace of drink-driving.

“My message to drivers in the North East is clear. If you get behind the wheel after a festive tipple, you risk wrecking your own and other people’s lives.

“Drink-drivers are treated like any other criminal. They face giving blood and DNA samples and being locked in a police cell. They’ll also get a minimum 12 months’ driving ban, criminal record and large fine.”

Andrew Johnson, head of transport for the Government Office for the North East said: “Having people understand the consequences of their actions should they drink and drive is an important part of the campaign.

“Hopefully, by highlighting that their actions could not only land them in a custody cell but also in court with a resulting criminal record and the offence staying on their records for 11 years, this will make them choose not to drink and drive.

“This Christmas, if you are going to drink, leave the car at home.”

Across the country, more than half a million drivers are stopped and breathalysed each year, with more breath tests carried out in December than other months.

This Christmas, police forces will be using digital breath testing equipment, funded by a £2m investment by the Department for Transport.

Deputy Chief Constable Adam Briggs, chair of ACPO Roads Policing Operations Forum said: “This year will see more roadside stop-and-check operations than ever before, at all times of day and night and on all types of road.

“We will be stopping a large number of drivers and where appropriate, will arrest and bring offenders before a court.”

As well as new radio and internet adverts, the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign will include a television advert and cinema and in-pub advertising.