Don't put lives at risk this Christmas
01/12/2010 10:25:53
Surrey’s Christmas Drink-Drive campaign launches today, Wednesday, 1 December, focusing on how lives can be shattered as a result of drinking and driving – and reminding drivers how such devastation could so easily be avoided.
On average nearly four people a month are killed or seriously injured on Surrey’s roads as a result of impaired drivers, mainly through drink but also through drugs. During the festive season there can be even more temptation for people to drink and drive.
Aiming to reduce deaths and injuries on the roads and at the same time supporting the national drink-drive campaign and the county’s Drive SMART initiative, Surrey Police and Surrey County Council are reminding drivers of the consequences if they flout the law and put lives at risk.
Enhanced operational activity by Surrey Police will target any driver involved in a collision or suspected by an officer of being impaired through drink or drugs and publicity material will specifically target male drivers aged 17 to 34, who are most likely to drink and drive according to collision and positive breath test statistics.
Surrey’s Drinking and Driving Shatters Lives messages, including ‘He Should Have Crashed at Yours’, will be heard on local radio stations and seen in cinemas, on bus backs, in pubs and bars across Surrey and on banners outside fire stations and traffic signs along major routes. The young male age group will be more specifically targeted using Facebook and text advertising and in Bluetooth messaging.
Posters, wallet cards and the radio commercial will be available to download on drivesmartsurrey.org.uk and thousands of the posters and wallet cards will be distributed to bars, pubs and clubs across the county by Surrey Police and Surrey Fire & Rescue Service staff.
Although there is a legal limit of alcohol for driving in the UK, it is well recognised that any amount in your body when you drive will affect your ability to react in an emergency. Other factors such as tiredness, drugs and stress will also slow down your reaction time. Mix any of these with drink and you could be under the influence of a lethal cocktail.
Officers will, therefore, always be extremely vigilant when it comes to road users who ignore the law. Surrey Police is committed to reducing both the number of road traffic collisions and the number and severity of casualties and in line with the ongoing casualty reduction campaign, officers will be looking out for motorists who commit certain offences in particular, including:
- · Driving under the influence of drink or drugs
- · Not wearing a seatbelt
- · Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving
- · Driving at excess speed
- · Ignoring traffic signs
Inspector Chris Colley, Head of Surrey Police Roads Policing Unit, warned drivers:
“Surrey Police vigorously enforces the drink-drive law every day but, with all the socialising that the festive season brings, there can be an increased temptation for people to drink and drive. Surrey Police will take a robust approach in targeting drivers who continue to act irresponsibly and break the law.
“If you are involved in a collision or are caught committing a road traffic offence or driving badly, you will be breath tested or tested for drugs if an officer suspects these are involved. Drivers need to be particularly aware of the ‘morning after effect’, where they could still be over the limit the next day.
“The clear message is that drinking and driving has serious consequences - you risk killing or seriously injuring yourself or another person and you risk arrest and court. If convicted you will face a fine, disqualification and a criminal record and you may go to prison.”
Dr Andrew Povey, Leader of Surrey County Council, added: “Our Drive SMART campaign aims to get motorists to abandon their selfish and anti-social driving habits. Drink-driving is an incredibly selfish act because it endangers the driver's passengers, other road users and pedestrians. Christmas should be a time for people to enjoy themselves but if you are drinking, don’t drive.”
If you have any information about those driving under the influence of drink or drugs call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.