Anti Drink Drive Campaign to Target South West Drinkers
A new hard-hitting campaign targeting drink drivers is being launched in the South-West today.
The £1.6 million campaign spearheaded by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick is urging people to leave their car keys at home and use designated drivers.
The campaign aimed at drivers, particularly young men will remind them that drink driving is illegal and they will be treated like any other criminal.
The Department for Transport’s THINK! Campaign, is being supported by Coca-Cola. Designated drivers will receive free soft drinks at thousands of pubs across Britain.
Road Safety Minister Jim 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 South West is clear. If you get behind the wheel after a festive tipple you risk wrecking your own and other people’s lives – don’t do it.
“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. Don’t ruin Christmas in a moment of selfishness.”
Many police forces this year will be using digital breath testing equipment funded by the Department of Transport.
Inspector David Collicott from Gloucestershire Police said: “We hope that motorists enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations and that they separate their drinking from their driving.
“You can’t calculate your alcohol limit, so don’t try – simply have ‘none for the road’ if you are going to drive. If any driver thinks they can get away with it they should think again – officers will be out enforcing this law every single day.
“And please don’t forget the following day. Even though you may feel OK when you get up, you may still be unfit to drive or over the legal alcohol limit. The only thing that gets rid of alcohol from the system is time, and generally more time than people think.”