Drivers, Don't Risk It All for a Drink This Christmas
| Published: 3rd December 2008 22:38 |
Hertfordshire Constabulary is set to launch a county-wide campaign to combat drink and drug driving over the festive season.
The campaign, which starts today and runs up until 1 January, aims to inform motorists of the consequences of drinking or taking drugs and then getting behind the wheel, as well as warning anyone tempted that if they do drink and drive, they are very likely to get caught.
Officers have been briefed to carry out breath tests and, where relevant, Field Impairment Tests (FIT) to all drivers involved in any road collisions they attend. They will also be on the lookout for any suspicious driving and will stop and check anyone suspected of committing a driving offence, as part of their usual patrols.
"I would appeal to those drivers who think that if they have only had one or two drinks, they are ok to drive, to think again and ask themselves, is it really worth the risk?" said Strategic Roads Policing Chief Inspector Donna Pierce. "It's impossible to calculate your limit - you may feel ok to drive, but when stopped by a police officer and breathalysed, you risk being over the limit and facing criminal proceedings. Is it really worth the risk?
"I think most people now know driving under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offence, the penalties can stretch far beyond enforcement. Not only will you face a minimum of a 12-month disqualification, as well as a fine and possible imprisonment, but it could have a significant negative impact on your daily life - you could lose your job, your friends and your freedom. If you have a collision, you may have to live with serious injury to yourself or somebody else."
The offence of causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs now carries a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment and a disqualification of at least two years.
Herts Police offers some of the alternatives to drink driving:
- Arrange for one of your party to be the designated driver.
- Take a registered taxi - why not pre-book one with a reputable company before you go out.
- Stick to soft drinks - it tends to be a cheaper alternative as well as helping you avoid that ‘morning after the night before' feeling.
If you know a drink driver, you can help by calling us on 0845 33 00 222 and telling us where and when they drink. If you know someone has been drinking and is about to drive, always dial 999.
"Remember, you may still be over the limit the morning after your night out," added Donna. "If you've overindulged the night before, use public transport, take a taxi or get a lift with a friend who wasn't drinking."
The legal alcohol limit for driving is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood but there is no failsafe guide to the amount of alcohol that a driver can safely consume. The amount and type of alcoholic drink, the weight, sex and metabolism of the driver all play a part. Any amount of alcohol affects driving ability - a motorist's ability to judge speed and distance may be impaired, their reaction times may be slowed and their judgement of risk seriously affected.
The Hertfordshire anti-drink-driving campaign supports the national initiative by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) which runs from 1 December to 1 January, and the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL) campaign which runs from 8 December to 14 December.
Donna concluded: "We target this issue all year round, but the festive party season offers the chance to remind people of the dangers and serious consequences of driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs. We don't want to spoil people's fun, just remind people of the many other options to drink driving and ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and safe festive season."
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