Campaign launched to tackle festive drink driving

Sussex Police have launched their Christmas drink and drug campaign today.

Additional activity from police officers within Shropshire will be focused in licensed venues with the use of the national Crime Stoppers drink drive campaign encouraging people to report known offenders.

Inspector Andy Trotter said: “This Christmas will be the first year we have used the new drug-testing kits alongside standard kits for alcohol testing, which means we are better equipped than ever to identify those who take this very risky risk”.

Nottinghamshire Police are warning motorists that they are not welcome on our roads if they are over the legal limit for drugs or alcohol.

“Every Christmas we try to educate people about the devastation and heartbreak that drink and drug driving can cause”.

Last Christmas police stopped 2,437 motorists in the West Midlands with 285 providing a positive sample or refusing to co-operate with the police.

Address the issue with friends or relatives who may be considering having a drink and then driving; make sure they are aware of the possible consequences and act if you have concerns.

And as we did in our summer campaign, our traffic officers will be using “drugalyser” devices at the roadside to test drivers for suspected drugs, including cannabis and cocaine, using new laws that came in earlier this year.

And the partnership wants to get the message across that there is no foolproof way of calculating how much you can drink and remain under the limit, or knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely.

In previous campaigns, both forces have named all those charged with drink or drug-driving offences that were committed during the month-long crackdown. “You might think you are ok and that you will get away with it – our message today is that you won’t”.

The consequences if someone is caught drug driving are the same as drink driving, i.e. 12 month ban minimum, a criminal record, a fine and up to six months in prison. Thousands of tests will take place at all times of the day and night to catch those who pose a huge risk to themselves and other road users.

Durham Constabulary and Cleveland Police are also teaming-up to tackle drunk or drugged-up drivers and remind motorists they can be tested at the roadside for drugs as well as alcohol.

Police have released telling footage of a van dangerously weaving across a motorway at high speeds, nearly hitting other vehicles, to highlight the dangers of drink driving.

“If you drink-drive and end up killing someone, if not yourself too, consider the impact your irresponsible actions are having on the victim’s family – their parents, sister, brother, husband, wife, children”.

Anyone with information regarding someone who regularly drink or drug-drives can call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.