PSNI Launches Winter Drink Drive Appeal

The PSNI is calling for road users to avoid drinking alcohol over the Christmas period, as it launches its annual winter drink driving appeal.

Head of Operational Support Department, Superintendent David Moore explained: "During the winter drink drive operation last year, we detected 273 people who took the risk of killing or injuring themselves, their family, friends and other innocent road users by deciding to drive after drinking.

"This figure was particularly disappointing, but considering that some of these people were so drunk they could barely stand up, it just beggars belief that some people still insist on attempting to drive after drinking."

In addition to running targeted operations to catch drink drivers, in the weeks leading up to Christmas and into the New Year, police will be coordinating road safety operations across the border counties with colleagues from An Garda Síochána Traffic Corp.

Superintendent Moore continued: "If you find yourself asking the question, I wonder if I'm ok to drive? Or if you find yourself trying to calculate if you are under the drink drive limit, whether that's after one drink, or the morning after a night out, just don't take the risk. The consequences could be catastrophic.

"People don't accidentally have a beer or glass of wine, they make a conscious decision. It only takes one drink to impair your decision making ability. The only right decision is to leave the car or motorbike at home if you're drinking."

(IT/JP)