Drink and Drug Driving Campaign targets irresponsible and dangerous drivers

(06/06/2006)

A summer Drink and Drug Driving Campaign to target irresponsible and dangerous drivers has begun in all 43 police forces across England and Wales. This annual campaign targets drink and drug drivers to ensure we drive down casualties on our roads and bring offenders to justice.

The targeted campaign is focused on the fact that during the summer months people are out more in the afternoon and evenings enjoying themselves and often using their vehicles. The number of deaths caused by drivers with illegal levels of alcohol in their body has risen by 130 between 1998 and 2004. This is unacceptable.

This year, in addition, the Football World Cup commences on the 9 June 2006 and will be a time for people to celebrate either in their own home, other people’s homes, or by going to a local pub. This often involves drinking alcohol. That is fine providing that once they have done this they do not get in a car and drive or on their motorbike. This campaign is not targeted at football fans, it is targeted at anyone who drives illegally whilst under the influence of drink or is impaired through drugs.

Meredydd Hughes, ACPO lead on roads policing and Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, said: “Drivers need to be responsible in their attitude to drinking and driving or being under the influence of drugs (either illicit or prescribed) and being unfit to drive. The Police Service is unwilling to tolerate this type of offending and it is our intention to crack down heavily during this campaign.

“Enforcing the law in this area is essential in reducing death and injury on the road. During this campaign every driver who is involved in a collision, irrespective of whether they are suspected of an offence of drink driving or not, or whether they are blameworthy, will be breath tested.

“Officers will also be looking for drivers whose driving is impaired by the use of drugs, the numbers of which are increasing. If an officer suspects that a person is unfit to drive through the use of drugs, then they can be subjected to a Field Impairment Test. This test will consist of an examination of the eye pupils and four psycho physical tests which will indicate whether a person’s ability to drive is impaired. If it is deemed to be the case then the courts can impose the same penalties as for drink driving.

“The message for this summer is if you are a car driver or motorcyclist and you intend to have a drink, either leave your vehicle at home or ensure that someone who has not had a drink drives. Don’t put yours or other people’s lives at risk.”

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