The National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) 2017 summer drink drive campaign is using an ‘intelligence-led approach’, with police forces organising their own operations and using their knowledge of local drink drive hotspots in their area.
The month long campaign, which launched on 1 June, is also supporting TISPOL’s week-long enforcement operation on drink and drug driving (5-11 June).
Forces across England and Wales will increase the number of patrols on the roads and will also set out to educate drivers on the risks associated with drink driving.
In Wales, operations are being led by Gwent Police, on behalf of all forces, with a focus also on drug-driving.
Deputy chief constable Garry Forsyth, NPCC roads policing portfolio holder, said: “Official figures show that on average every year, more than 54,000 people are convicted of driving or attempting to drive while over the legal alcohol limit.
“This year’s summer operation will focus on tackling that threat with targeted enforcement that is led by intelligence and presents a strong deterrent against drink-driving.
“Police forces will be working with TISPOL and national and local partners to enforce the law and educate about the risks of drink-driving. Throughout the month, officers will be running dedicated patrols and checks to ensure that people think twice before getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol.”
Paolo Cestra, TISPOL president, said: “Driving while over the drink drive limit is a criminal offence. But drivers will experience slower reactions, poor judgement of speed, reduced co-ordination and concentration with much lower levels of alcohol in their system.
“That’s why our message is simple: your ability to drive safely is impaired by even a small amount of alcohol. So if you have had a drink, do not drive. If you need to drive, then do not drink.”
Want to know more about drink-driving and road safety?
Online library of research and reports etc – visit the Road Safety Knowledge Centre
Key facts and summaries of research reports – visit the Road Safety Observatory
Many drivers believe (wrongly) that the amount of alcohol they drink will be acceptable and not over the legal limit. Many drivers out for a meal may have one pint and believe that they are not impaired. In fact most breath tests prove negative but the driver has admitted to consuming alcohol to some degree and this may have been evident in the manner in which the vehicle was seen to be driven.
Even one pint can have a detrimental effect on one’s ability to drive and this is well understood within the safety profession and has been recognised for many decades now. Many drivers believe that just the one would not incur a positive result of a test, however they may not be aware that the beer they have chosen to drink may be of a higher alcohol content ie say 5.8% by volume and not the more standard 3.4% by volume. Some beers and ciders can be as high as 9% by volume. That can make quite a difference in its impairment and on the subsequent breathaliser reading.
Thats why I still believe in nil by mouth. Dont drink and drive as the campaign says.
Bob Craven Lancs
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