Christmas drink drive campaign launched

The government has launched this year’s Christmas drink drive campaign.

This year’s advertising will focus on the fact that motorists cannot calculate their own drink drive limits and, therefore, should avoid alcohol altogether.

The main television campaign will be complemented with radio advertisements, using real police officers who will explain that more people are stopped and breathalysed at Christmas than any other time of the year.

According to official figures, 590 people were killed in drink driving accidents last year – the highest number since 1992.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, at the ‘Rovers Return’ bar on the set of popular soap ‘Coronation Street’, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said: “Sadly, the number of people who are being killed in drink drive related accidents has risen in recent years. We need to remind people that drink driving can kill. Drink drivers need to remember that the police are out there and they will be caught.

“Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world and we are determined to improve that. We will continue to come down heavily on those who endanger us all by drink driving.”

Several other measures have recently been introduced to tackle drink driving. Blood samples can now be taken from unconscious drink-drive suspects without consent, while police were recently given new powers to carry out roadside evidential breath testing.

The Road Safety Bill, which is currently before Parliament, includes proposals to increase penalties for drink drive offences, including a requirement for all drivers disqualified for two or more years to retake their driving test.

It also includes a provision for the introduction of a breath alcohol ignition interlocks programme – also known as ‘alcolocks’ – to discourage reoffending.

(KMcA/SP)