Bar poster reminder on drink and drugs driving

The campaign against drink and drugs-driving is being taken direct into more than 170 of Northern Ireland's leading bars and clubs.

The Police Service and the Department of the Environment have linked together in a poster campaign using images from the DoE's graphic drink-driving and drugs-driving television advertising campaigns.

The posters have been specifically designed for use in washrooms over the festive season with a total of around 1,000 panels having been booked until January 3.

The main concentration is in Belfast where more than 100 pubs and clubs have been selected while the remaining posters have been distributed throughout 20 other towns.

Inspector Rosie Leech, of the Police Service's Road Policing Development Branch, said: "Most people will be aware of the robust enforcement by police on both drink and drugs-driving which is underway and will continue until early January.

"But we recognise that it is important not to let up on the education front. We don't want to spoil anyone's fun. But, especially at this time of year we need to be reinforcing the theme that no-one should ever drive after taking alcohol or drugs.”

The anti-drink driving poster uses a still taken from the 'Shame' advertisement and the strap line 'Try washing your hands of this'. The anti-drug driving poster features pictures of a roadside impairment test and arrest. Its warning line is 'You won't flush this away’.

Research indicates that most people in Northern Ireland are well aware of the messages contained in the Department's anti drink driving and anti drugs driving campaigns.

Police said the display of posters in washrooms of bars and clubs provides a timely reminder to people, who might already have taken drink or drugs, of the consequences should they attempt to drive home.

(MB/SP)