Christmas Anti-Drink and Drug Drive Crackdown
29/11/2012
This Christmas police across Wales will be
targeting drivers, and in particular young drivers, who risk their
lives and the lives of others by driving whilst under the influence
of alcohol or drugs.
Led by South Wales Police, the month-long
Christmas Anti Drink and Drug Driving Campaign will run from
Saturday 1st December through to 1st January,
and will see officers from across the country conducting high
profile roadside checks and using intelligence to identify
offenders.
Last year in Wales, police tested a total of
27, 744 motorists as part of the campaign, with 545 individuals
(2%) returning either positive results or failing/refusing to take
a breath test.
Chief Inspector Darren Wareing, who is in
charge of the North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit said: “If you
drink and drive this Christmas you significantly increase the risk
of killing an innocent person, or yourself or both. It is really
that simple.
“Many people don’t realise they can still be
over the limit the morning after a drinking session. We would urge
everyone to think twice before getting behind the wheel the morning
after and consider making alternative arrangements to get to
work.
“Drivers need to be aware that regardless of
the time of day they are caught, whether they are going to work or
taking children to school, they will face the same penalties as
someone who has chosen to drink heavily in a pub and driven at
night.”
North Wales Police will also be using the
campaign to reinforce Operation Sodium – a campaign which was
launched during the summer, in response to the growing number of
young people who are involved in collisions linked to drink or drug
driving, and in particular in rural areas of the force.
Chief Inspector Wareing added: “Younger
drivers tend to take more risks and this is a cause for great
concern. Operation Sodium is aimed at reducing the number of young
drink-drivers and those who drive whilst under the influence of
drugs, who are putting their lives, and the lives of other road
users, at risk on our roads.
“There is a perception out there that drivers
in rural areas believe they have less chance of getting caught
drunk behind the wheel which we are going to change. People should
be aware that we will continue to patrol rural roads in targeted
operations to catch drink/drug drivers.”
Sue Storch, Chair of Road Safety Wales said:
“My advice is that if you’re expecting to drink alcohol during the
Christmas holiday, plan how to get home without driving. Don’t
offer an alcoholic drink to someone you know is planning to drive
and don’t accept a lift from a driver you know has drunk
alcohol.”
A hard-hitting television advert highlighting
the consequences of drink driving will also be shown throughout
December as part of the Department for Transport’s THINK! Christmas
drink drive campaign.
If you have information relating to someone
you think is driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or
drugs, please contact North Wales Police on 101 or via
Crimestoppers Wales anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency
always dial 999.
Further information regarding the penalties for drink or drug
driving are available in the ‘Advice & Support’ section of the Force website