03/06/13….Anti Summer ‘Drink & drive’ campaign launched

AFTER 63 serious injuries and road deaths in the Thames Valley area involved drink-driving in 2012, Thames Valley Police launched its summer drink-drive reduction campaign at the weekend.

The campaign is part of a national crackdown by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Department for Transport (DfT), aimed at reducing the number of people killed and injured on our roads by people who drink or take drugs and drive.

In addition, many people are not aware of the continuing effects of alcohol the morning after. In many cases, alcohol is still present in the body and will be identified during the breath test.

The overall aim of the campaign is to convince drivers that a conviction for drink/drug driving has the potential to ruin their life.

Thames Valley Police and ACPO hope that understanding the consequences of their offending will deter people from being so irresponsible. A night in police cells sobering up with the possibility of being charged and going straight to court, followed by a lengthy ban, are the reality.

The campaign will also link with the European TISPOL police campaign during the first week of June (3-9) where all police forces across Europe will tackle drink and drug driving concerns.

Police will conduct random drink/speed and seatbelt checks at all times of the day and night across the Thames Valley. Drivers will be asked to provide a specimen of breath in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1988. Where there is no suspicion of alcohol, no moving traffic offences or involvement in a road collision, drivers will be offered the opportunity to participate in the campaign and provide a sample on a voluntary basis. We will explain the reasons for these checks to drivers and ask for the motoring public?s support.

During last year?s summer campaign, 2456 drivers were breathalysed and 234 drivers either provided positive tests or refused to give a specimen.

Officers will also record additional information about those stopped, relating to what age bracket they fall into. This data will be provided to the DfT, who will analyse it to understand the level of drink-driving nationally and the correlation between age and drink-driving behaviour.

A/Superintendent Henry Parsons, head of roads policing for Hampshire and Thames Valley said:

?Our message is simple: don?t drink and drive. It?s simply not worth the risk. Drinking late into the evening and then getting up early for work is not a good combination, just because you?ve had a few hours sleep doesn?t mean all the alcohol has left your system, and you could still be driving to work over the limit.?

?We?re often asked how much you can drink before you are over the limit; any amount of alcohol affects your coordination and judgement. The simplest and safest option for everyone is simply not to drink if you plan to drive.?

Do you know someone who drinks or takes drugs and drives? Call police on 101 or, if it?s an emergency, dial 999. If you don?t want to speak to police or give your name, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

All drivers who provide a positive breath test refuse to provide or fail to provide face losing their licence for at least 12 months. They could go to prison for six months or pay a fine of up to