The Government and Police have today joined forces to clamp down on the menace of drinking and driving over Christmas. As Britain gears up for the party season, the annual THINK! Drink Drive campaign - now in its 30th year - will swing into action to warn motorists about the dangers of getting behind the wheel after even just one drink.
This year the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and Department for Transport (DfT) are combining their campaigns to remind potential drink drivers, and young men in particular, just how seriously this issue is taken. More people are stopped and breathalysed at Christmas than any other time in the year and the penalties that drivers could face are among the toughest in Europe.
Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said:
"During thirty years of our innovative, award-winning THINK! campaigns, we have more than halved the number of people killed in alcohol-related road accidents each year. This is a great achievement, but we will not be satisfied until we are sure everyone understands the risk of driving even after one drink.
"What the THINK! campaign is saying to drivers is very simple: Enjoy the Christmas season, but remember drinking and driving do not mix. With prison sentences of up to 6 months for those caught over the limit, drink driving is an unnecessary gamble to take."
Meredydd Hughes, ACPO lead and Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, added:
"Christmas is a time for fun and for celebration, and many people will be enjoying a drink or two. That's great, but if you do, then don't drive. Our message is clear - if you drink and drive, you will be caught and brought to justice.
"We will be cracking down hard on all those people driving under the influence of drink or drugs. December is one of the highest months for both fatalities and collisions involving drunk drivers, while the number of deaths caused by drivers with illegal levels of alcohol has risen over the past few years. This is unacceptable and the police will not tolerate it. Drivers are well aware of the risks of driving over the legal limit, and if they don't know the legal limit, they shouldn't have a drink at all. Police will also be targeting drivers whose driving is impaired by the use of drugs, numbers of whom are increasing, particularly amongst young people.
"Throughout the campaign, police officers across England and Wales will be breath testing all drivers involved in collisions, irrespective of whether they suspect an offence of drink driving or not. If drink is detected, the driver will be arrested. By focusing on the risk drink and drug drivers cause to pedestrians, other drivers, themselves and their passengers over the Christmas period, I hope people will think twice before driving under the influence, to ensure that everyone's Christmas is a happy one."
Despite research showing that drink driving is less socially acceptable since the start of drink drive campaigns in 1976, it still occurs across all age groups and is particularly prevalent amongst young men - 36% of male breath test failures in 2005 were aged 17-29 years.
It is impossible to calculate alcohol limits and it takes less than drivers might think before their driving is affected by alcohol. The THINK! campaign, which will run throughout December, will therefore emphasise to drivers that they have too much to lose from even one alcoholic drink.
This year the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and Department for Transport (DfT) are combining their campaigns to remind potential drink drivers, and young men in particular, just how seriously this issue is taken. More people are stopped and breathalysed at Christmas than any other time in the year and the penalties that drivers could face are among the toughest in Europe.
Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said:
"During thirty years of our innovative, award-winning THINK! campaigns, we have more than halved the number of people killed in alcohol-related road accidents each year. This is a great achievement, but we will not be satisfied until we are sure everyone understands the risk of driving even after one drink.
"What the THINK! campaign is saying to drivers is very simple: Enjoy the Christmas season, but remember drinking and driving do not mix. With prison sentences of up to 6 months for those caught over the limit, drink driving is an unnecessary gamble to take."
Meredydd Hughes, ACPO lead and Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, added:
"Christmas is a time for fun and for celebration, and many people will be enjoying a drink or two. That's great, but if you do, then don't drive. Our message is clear - if you drink and drive, you will be caught and brought to justice.
"We will be cracking down hard on all those people driving under the influence of drink or drugs. December is one of the highest months for both fatalities and collisions involving drunk drivers, while the number of deaths caused by drivers with illegal levels of alcohol has risen over the past few years. This is unacceptable and the police will not tolerate it. Drivers are well aware of the risks of driving over the legal limit, and if they don't know the legal limit, they shouldn't have a drink at all. Police will also be targeting drivers whose driving is impaired by the use of drugs, numbers of whom are increasing, particularly amongst young people.
"Throughout the campaign, police officers across England and Wales will be breath testing all drivers involved in collisions, irrespective of whether they suspect an offence of drink driving or not. If drink is detected, the driver will be arrested. By focusing on the risk drink and drug drivers cause to pedestrians, other drivers, themselves and their passengers over the Christmas period, I hope people will think twice before driving under the influence, to ensure that everyone's Christmas is a happy one."
Despite research showing that drink driving is less socially acceptable since the start of drink drive campaigns in 1976, it still occurs across all age groups and is particularly prevalent amongst young men - 36% of male breath test failures in 2005 were aged 17-29 years.
It is impossible to calculate alcohol limits and it takes less than drivers might think before their driving is affected by alcohol. The THINK! campaign, which will run throughout December, will therefore emphasise to drivers that they have too much to lose from even one alcoholic drink.
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