CHRISTMAS REVELLERS TOLD: THINK! DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE
| Published: 7th December 2007 12:55 |
More than 6,000 750 people were hurt in drink drive related accidents at weekends in the West Midlands last year, with more than a third of these injured between 10pm and 3am. In the West Midlands region the number was 770 people. To remind drivers, and young men in particular, just how badly getting behind the wheel after drinking can affect their lives, the Christmas drink drive THINK! campaign was launched by the Department for Transport on the 30th November.
Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick was out with Police to see for himself how dedicated the Police are to taking drink drivers off the road this Christmas. He said:
"Drink driving ruins lives. Last year 540 people died in this pointless, avoidable way - that's lives shattered and the dreams of family and friends devastated.
"I have been out with Sussex Police on their first Christmas crackdown this year, and was amazed at how even the smallest sign can give drink drivers away to these highly trained officers. Being caught has serious consequences - a criminal record, minimum one year driving ban and large fine. It's just not worth paying this price for a couple of drinks at the Christmas party. Leave the car keys at home."
As well as a new radio advert the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign will include this summer's new Moment of Doubt TV advert, cinema and in-pub advertising and partnership marketing. The campaign will also hit the road to remind drivers that they have too much to lose from having even one alcoholic drink with shoppers, commuters and party goers in major cities targeted.
Steve Kennett, Deputy Director for Government Office said:
"In the West Midlands the figures speak for themselves. It is alarming to think that so many of our community have been involved in drink driving related incidents and tragically 114 of those people were seriously injured or killed.
This campaign reminds drivers of the consequences of drinking and driving. The message is quite clear don't drink and drive!"
Saneal Randeria from Aquarius attended the launch of the campaign in the West Midlands region. Saneal, aged 31 from Birmingham was convicted of drink drive four years ago, but after attending a course run by Midlands charity drink and drugs charity Aquarius, he decided to become a trainer for the charity educating other people on the misuse of alcohol. Saneal explains:
"I was charged with drink drive when the police stopped me following a meal with friends where I had drunk two pints. I was charged and banned from driving, had a massive fine and lost my job working in IT. I then attended the course run by Aquarius in order to reduce the length of my ban, but after a few sessions I realised I want to change my job and now work for Aquarius as a trainer, which I thoroughly enjoy. My story became a positive one, but I am the exception to the rule, for most people drinking and driving has such a negative effect on your life it isn't worth the risk."
Please help keep the roads of Stoke on Trent and the rest of the UK safe this Christmas!
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