The All Wales Summer Anti Drink/Drug Drive campaign
Date Published: 11/06/2012
The National All Wales Summer Anti Drink/Drug Drive campaign 2012 backed by South Wales Police, Dyfed Powys Police, Gwent Police, and North Wales Police and in conjunction with Road Safety Wales Partners’, commenced on Friday June 1st 2012 and will run for the whole of the month.
In this years campaign the forces, led by Dyfed Powys Police, will be stepping up the pressure in a concerted effort to deter people from driving motor vehicles while under the influence of alcohol.
Despite previous campaigns, people are still being killed or seriously injured as a direct result of this reckless practice. Any amount of alcohol or drugs in the body can affect a person’s driving ability and judgement.
As summer approaches traditional pastimes such as barbeques and parties often result in an increase in occasions where people are consuming alcohol. The majority of people make plans and are sensible about their travel arrangements, but there is also a hard core that are prepared to flout the law and drive with excess alcohol in their system. It is important that people also consider the morning after as excess alcohol could still affect a person’s ability to drive.
South Wales
Police Assistant Chief Constable Nick Croft said:
“People who drink and drive not only risk killing or seriously injuring themselves, but also someone else. It doesn’t just ruin the life of the drink driver, but the lives of others innocently associated with them and their actions.
“Drinking and driving is not worth the risk. You could end up in court, receive at least a one year driving ban, lose your licence, face jail or a fine of up to £5,000.
“South Wales Police will not tolerate drinking and driving at any time of the year. Throughout the campaign, officers will be out in our communities looking for people who are drinking and driving and endangering other road users.
“If you plan to go out and drink alcohol, please enjoy yourself but make sure you plan how to get home without having to drive.”
Chair of Road Safety
Wales, Susan Storch, said:
"Our advice is that if you're expecting to drink alcohol during the Summer season, plan how to get home without driving.
“If you’re drinking at barbeques be aware that you may not know how much you are consuming and don't offer an alcoholic drink to someone you know is planning to drive and don’t accept a lift from a driver you know has drunk alcohol. Be aware that you may still be over the legal limit the following day – the only safe way is to either drink or drive not both."
Also supporting this years’ campaign is Dr Mark Boulcott who lost his wife, Karen, and was himself severely injured in a drink drive accident in 2006.
Dr Boulcott, of Herbrandston, who was left with serious injuries after the crash, said:
"The driver of the car that hit us was clearly unfit to be at the wheel and his young passengers had a responsibility to prevent him from getting into that car. If they had done so, Karen would still be here today.
“Young people who find themselves in similar situations need to realise that they have a responsibility for overseeing their health and that of the driver of a car they might be in a passenger in.''
Anyone with information regarding individuals who are believed to drive while over the legal limit can contact Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously and confidentially on 0800 555 111.