Motorists across Warwickshire are today being reminded of the dangers of driving under the influence of drink or drugs during the festive period.
With the season of festivities nearly underway Warwickshire Police are launching a publicity and enforcement campaign to raise awareness of the issues around drink and drug driving.
The topic is being highlighted across social media and local radio advertising will be taking place across the region. Increased enforcement activity from police officers across Warwickshire will also be in place.
There is no foolproof way of calculating how much you can drink and remain under the limit, or knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely. Importantly, it is hard to calculate how long alcohol may stay in your body if you are driving the morning after so the safest option if you are driving is to drink no alcohol at all. There are plenty of alternatives available with public transport, taxis and sharing designated drivers. Pedestrians are also being encouraged to stay safe during the festive season and to plan safe routes home and to drink responsibly.
Figures indicate that, over the past 3 years, 10 people were killed and 80 seriously injured in Warwickshire following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor.
The campaign supports the month long winter drink drive campaign (starting 1st December) by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). Police forces throughout the UK will be working hard throughout December to make sure the roads are safe for everyone this Christmas and Warwickshire Police will certainly be no exception to this. Enforcing the drink and drug drive law is a 24/7 commitment for Warwickshire Police and to reflect this police officers will be enforcing at all times of the day and night.
Assistant Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith for Warwickshire Police comments: “There are still people out there who feel they can gamble with drinking and driving and think they know how much the limit is but the simple fact is, there is only one way of being sure that you are safe to drive and that is not to drink at all. Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. Worryingly, and despite many warnings over the years about the dangers of drink/drug driving, there are still far too many reckless drivers ignoring the devastating consequences. Alcohol and drugs both affect your ability to judge speed and distances accurately and slow down your reaction time. We’re urging people to think hard about the consequences that a collision and a conviction could lead to”.
