The annual winter campaign against motorists driving under the influence of drink or drugs has been launched by police. Last year’s December campaign resulted in 191,040 people being tested, with 6550 people failing to pass the breath test. This was a marked increase in testing, with a marked decrease in the failure rate, police report.
This year, forces around the country will once again be focusing on driving under the influence of drink or drugs, with enforcement activity in every part of the country, with local advertising campaigns, social media, and, in some forces, the naming and shaming of drivers whom the Crown Prosecution Service has decided to charge.
National Policing Lead for Roads Policing, Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, said: “We are moving in the right direction when it comes to people not taking the risk of driving under the influence of drink or drugs, but there is always more to be done.
“Nowhere is this clearer than in the case of Harrison King, a young drink-driver who has worked with Staffordshire Police to make his story the centre of their local campaign – a campaign I am pleased to endorse as our national flagship for this winter’s national focus month.
“Harrison risked his own life and those of others by driving while heavily under the influence, resulting in a major collision where his car crashed into a house before being impaled on railings. This left him badly injured. He was convicted of drink-driving, banned from driving, fined and given a community service order. But Harrison has decided to use the second chance he has so fortunately been given to send a message to others – don’t take the risk, don’t be a statistic.
“I applaud Harrison’s humility and his dedication to ending the scourge of drink-driving.
“Our officers across the country do not want to be the unwanted guest at Christmas. They do not want to knock on anyone’s door to tell bad news about a loved one who has been killed or injured by an intoxicated driver. They do not want to be the people who have to inform your family that you have been arrested for driving under the influence and have caused harm to yourself or others.
“There is an easy way to make sure that the holiday period is a safe and happy one for all concerned: enjoy yourself, celebrate, enjoy the company of family and friends but if you drink – do not drive. It is not worth the risk.
“Officers are on heightened alert all year round but especially at this time of year – they will spot you, they will catch you and you will face the consequences, whether you drive while intoxicated at the time you have been indulging or the morning after, because you may still be unfit to drive.
“If you suspect someone is driving while unfit to do so, please report it immediately to your local police on 101 (or 999 if they are posing imminent danger) or phone it through anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. This is not a case of drink-drive at your own risk – drink or drug-drive and you risk everything for yourself and those around you.”
