Thames Valley Police and
Hampshire Constabulary Joint Roads Policing Unit launches its Christmas
anti-drink and drug drive campaign on Sunday (1/12).
The
two forces will be working in close partnership and conducting more
cross-border operations than ever before with the aim of reducing the number of
alcohol and drug related incidents on our roads.
Party-goers
are being warned to think about the consequences before they consider having a
drink and getting behind the wheel during the festive period.
The
crackdown follows last year’s successful enforcement activity, which saw 6,585
drivers breathalysed by Thames Valley Police between 1 December 2012 and 1
January 2013.
The
campaign is part of a national crackdown by the Association of Chief Police
Officers (ACPO) and the Department for Transport (DfT), aimed at reducing the
number of people killed and injured on our roads by people who drink or take
drugs and drive.
Impairment
through drugs and/or alcohol is an important factor influencing both the risk
of a road collision and the severity of the injuries that result from these
collisions.
Across
the Thames Valley, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight, 68 people were killed or
seriously injured last year (Jan-Dec 2012), where alcohol was a factor in the
collision (61 seriously injured and 7 killed). In the first eight months of
this year (Jan-Aug 2013), 38 people have been killed or seriously injured where
alcohol was a factor in the collision (six killed and 32 seriously injured).
In
addition, many people are not aware of the continuing effects of alcohol the
morning after. In many cases, alcohol is still present in the body and will be
identified during the breath test.
The
overall aim of the campaign is to reduce the number of people killed or
seriously injured as a result of drink driving and to convince drivers that a
conviction for drink/drug driving has the potential to ruin their life.
Thames
Valley Police, Hampshire Constabulary and ACPO hope that understanding the
consequences of their offending will deter people from being so irresponsible.
A night in police cells sobering up with the possibility of being charged and
going straight to court, followed by a lengthy ban, are the reality.
The
campaign will also link with the European TISPOL police campaign during the
second week of the campaign (9-15 Dec) where all police forces across Europe
will tackle drink and drug driving concerns.
The Joint
Roads Policing Unit will conduct road safety checks at all times of the day and
night across the Thames Valley and Hampshire. Drivers will be asked to provide
a specimen of breath in accordance with the Road Traffic Act 1988. Where there
is no suspicion of alcohol, no moving traffic offences being committed, or no
involvement in a collision, drivers will be offered the opportunity to
participate in the campaign and provide a sample on a voluntary basis. We will
explain the reasons for these checks to drivers and ask for the motoring
public’s support.
Officers
will also record additional information about those stopped, relating to what
age bracket they fall into. This data will be provided to the DfT, who will
analyse it to understand the level of drink-driving nationally and the
correlation between age and drink-driving behaviour.
Ch Insp
Henry Parsons, of Roads Policing for Thames Valley Police and Hampshire
Constabulary, said: “We are asking the public to be safe rather than sorry.
Collisions involving alcohol or drugs not only devastate the lives of victims
and their families, they also ruin the lives of offenders, who could face a
lengthy driving ban or imprisonment.
"As
well as having to live with the lifelong guilt of having killed or injured
someone through their reckless behaviour, offenders could also lose their job,
home and their livelihood.
“If you
are going out and know you will be drinking, organise alternative transport or
a designated driver to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the festive period
safely.”
Officers
across the Thames Valley and Hampshire will be wearing purple ribbons in memory
of those killed on our roads as a result of drink-driving. The purple ribbon is
linked to the tragic death of Evey Staley in the Isle of Wight last August.
Evey was just 10-years-old when she was killed by a drink and drug driver.
Purple was Eveys favourite colour
Total
number of breath tests in last year's Christmas campaign:
- Berkshire – 1,757
- Buckinghamshire – 1,142
- Milton Keynes - 1,169
- Oxfordshire – 2,517
Total –
6,585
Total
number of arrests following positive breath tests during last year’s campaign:
- Berkshire – 113
- Buckinghamshire – 53
- Milton Keynes - 38
- Oxfordshire – 74
Total -
278
