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Annual Christmas drink and
drug driving campaign launched
MERSEYSIDE Police on
Thursday, 1 December 2016, launched its annual Christmas Drink and Drug Driving
Campaign, urging motorists to have:- 'None For The Road.' Officers
from the Roads Policing Unit and colleagues across the force will be stepping up
patrols throughout the month-long campaign, which runs until Sunday, 1 January
2017. They will be paying particular attention to areas across Merseyside in the
evenings and early in the morning, to target those who are risking driving the
morning after drinking or taking drugs the night before. The campaign is
organised nationally and internationally, with the aim of reducing the number of
road deaths and serious injuries on the roads of Merseyside and to raise the
awareness of the dangers around driving while over the limit or impaired through
drugs. During the 2015 Christmas drink and drug driving campaign, officers
carried out a total of 7,925 breath tests in Merseyside. A total of 224 (3%) of
all drivers failed the test and were arrested. During the same period, drug
impairment and drug tests were carried out, with 66 drivers being arrested.
Sergeant Paul Mountford, of Merseyside Police's roads policing unit, said:-
"The numbers of people drink driving on our roads is falling and it has
become socially unacceptable to do so. We were encouraged in 2015 to see 97% of
the people we tested were driving responsibly. Anyone considering taking stupid
risks needs to remember that people who drive at twice the current legal alcohol
level are at least 50 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision.
During last year's campaign, it was disappointing to see a slight increase in
motorists drug driving. Therefore, as well as roadside breath tests, our
officers will again be undertaking drug impairment tests. While they represent a
small minority of drivers, I cannot stress enough the danger that these people
present to themselves and other road users and pedestrians. Drug testing is now
routine at the roadside in Merseyside and cannabis and cocaine are the two most
common drugs used by drivers arrested in Merseyside. We have a very high
detection rate in these cases of 98%. I also want to warn people about the risks
of using medicinal drugs, particularly at this time of year with the advent of
colder weather. Always read the instructions on the packaging carefully or speak
to your GP or chemist. Taking certain medicines with alcohol can severely affect
a person's driving and if the label says:- 'do not operate machinery,' that
means do not drive. Our message to drivers is not to drink or take drugs and
then drive, just simply pre-plan your evenings out, use public transport or have
a designated non drinking driver. And help out your friends and family by not
offering a drink to someone who is planning to drive. We are all entitled to use
the roads safely, be it driving, walking, or cycling. Sadly drink and drug
driving accounts for hundreds of lives every year in the UK. If you know or
suspect that someone is drink or drug driving, do not hesitate in reporting them
anonymously via Crimestoppers. Road safety is everyone's responsibility and your
actions could be saving lives at the festive period and throughout the year."
Chief Inspector Tony Jones, Head of MSOC Roads Policing said:- "While the
number of drivers arrested in Merseyside is significantly lower than the
national average, there are still those that ignore our warnings and place
themselves and others at risk. We would urge everyone to take on board our
simple message this Christmas; avoid alcohol if you are driving, and if in doubt
the morning after, do not drive. Think for a minute about the effects a drink or
drug driving conviction will have on you and your family, the shame and ruin
that it can bring. Do not think that you won't get caught. Our officers will be
conducting roadside tests morning, afternoon and evening and we arrest countless
drivers every month throughout the year. Don't chance it - if you're driving,
it's better to have none for the road." |
