Drink drive campaign is in gear - motorists warned

In partnership with Safer Roads Humber, police hope to reduce drink and drug driving, and its related collisions and injuries, through education and enforcement.

Drink drive fatalities nationally have reduced from 1,640 in 1967 (when records first began) to 230 in 2012.

Barry Gardner, Casualty Reduction Officer for Humberside Police said: “The most up to date figures available show that nationally in 2012, 16 per cent of all road deaths involved drivers over the legal drink drive limit.

“A total of 230 people were killed in drink drive collisions in 2012, but when you know that in 1964 over 1,600 deaths were caused by drink driving it shows just how important these campaigns are to re-educate people.”

Those killed and seriously injured plus slight injuries statistics for the Humberside Police area relating to drink drive over the past five years, are:-

2009 = 2 fatal, 31 serious injuries, 140 slight injuries

2010 = 1 fatal, 28 serious injuries, 100 slight injuries

2011 = 4 fatal, 29 serious injuries, 131 slight injuries

2012 = 5 fatal, 26 serious injuries, 112 slight injuries

2013 = 2 fatal, 30 serious injuries, 119 slight injuries

PC Gardner said: “I have attended many serious road traffic collisions caused by drink drivers and I can honestly say that it’s never worth the risk to drink and drive.

“This campaign will remind drivers to beware the morning after. You could be over the legal limit many hours after your last drink. Having a sleep, drinking lots of coffee or taking a cold shower do not help to sober you up. Time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system. Don’t be tempted to get into your car after a night out.”

He added: “All Roads Policing officers are trained to detect drivers who are under the influence of drugs. There are a worrying number now caught drug driving.”

Officers from across Humberside force area will carry out breath tests where the officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that a person

a) was the driver at the time of a road traffic collision as per force policy.

b) is driving, attempting to drive or being in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, with alcohol in his/her body, or has committed a moving traffic offence.

c) has been driving or attempting to drive, or has been in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place with alcohol in his/her body.

d) has been driving or attempting to drive, or been in charge of a motor vehicle on a road or other public place and has committed a moving traffic offence.

e) where information provided by a member of the public leads to the suspicion that someone may be drink driving.

Over 50,000 people throughout the UK were dealt with by the police in 2012 for drink driving offences. Over 50,000 thought they wouldn’t get caught.

The penalties for drink or drug driving are the same.

If you are convicted you will receive:

* A minimum 12 month driving ban

* A criminal record

* A fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in prison or both

The consequences of a drug drive conviction are far reaching and can include:

* Job loss

* Loss of independence

* The shame of having a criminal record

* Increase in car insurance costs

* Trouble getting in to countries like the USA

PC Gardner continued: “If you suspect someone is going to drink and drive you can phone the police on the non-emergency number 101. We will act on information received by members of the public. I would encourage people to report any drink driver to us immediately.”

You can also phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report anonymously on the Crimestoppers website www.crimestopppers-uk.org.