ACPO and THINK! join forces for festive drink drive campaign

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the DfT have joined forces this year for the annual festive drink drive campaign, which focuses on young drivers and ‘morning after’ drink driving.

ACPO is launching its anti-drink and drug driving campaign today (30 November) with a warning that young drivers and people driving the morning after a night of drinking pose a huge risk. The THINK! campaign will continue the ‘Moment of Doubt’ strategy which highlights the personal consequences of a drink drive conviction, and will include television advertising throughout December.

DCC Suzette Davenport, ACPO roads policing lead, said: “It is an absolute scourge on our society and shameful that in 2012 some drivers fail to realise the impact of drink or drug driving. Next year’s figures could include them or one of their family members."

Last year, the breath test fail rate was higher among drivers aged 20 and 24 than any other age group, which is why the 2012 THINK! Christmas campaign targets young people who are consistently over-represented in drink drive casualty figures.

Stephen Hammond, road safety minister, said: “Drivers should be in no doubt that if they get behind the wheel after drinking this Christmas, they risk losing their licence as well as facing a fine and even a prison sentence.

“Christmas should be a time for a celebration not a night in the cells. That is why our TV advert reminds drivers of the consequences of a drink drive conviction.

“Last year 280 people were killed in accidents where the driver was over the limit. Our message is clear: Do not let a selfish decision ruin your life or someone else’s.”

ACPO’s enforcement campaign will target well-intentioned drivers who do not think they are breaking the law but may be over the legal limit when they get into their car the morning after drinking. Police forces will be taking to roads across the country to stop and check drivers.

DCC Davenport added: “Some drivers think they are obeying the law but are in fact breaking it by getting into their cars the morning after a night of drinking.

“People may be surprised to hear that last year between the hours of 6am and 11am more than 400 people failed breath tests (or refused to provide a specimen), which is more than those caught for the hour before or after midnight.

“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.”

Robert Gifford, executive director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), said: “It is good to see the DfT re-launching the Christmas drink drive campaign. This advert reminds drivers that the choice is theirs but the responsibility for the wrong choice will stay with them for years to come.”

For more information contact Jason Lavan on 020 7084 8948.