Local police officers begin their festive drink and drug driving crackdown from today.
Officers will be stopping motorists at key locations throughout December and the New Year, and will be using saliva testing kits alongside the usual breath tests to detect cannabis or cocaine.
During last year's campaign in Lancashire, just over 5,000 people were tested for drink driving, with 153 of them failing. In Cumbria 3,000 people were tested, with 60 failing.
Inspector Andy Trotter from the Constabulary’s Road Policing Unit said: “This Christmas will be the first year we have used the new drug-testing kits alongside standard kits for alcohol testing, which means we are better equipped than ever to identify those who take this very dangerous risk.
“We will also be focusing our activity on late night revellers who may still be over the limit the morning after and we are particularly keen to get the message across young drivers, who may be tempted to take the risk.
“If you drive at twice the legal alcohol limit you are at least 30 times more likely to cause a road traffic collision than a driver who hasn’t been drinking, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. A conviction could also mean that you lose your job, home, family and friends. The consequences can be absolutely devastating.
“We are determined to keep our roads safe, whether that is at night or the morning after and we will be working throughout the festive period to keep the public safe. We want people to enjoy the festive season but to remember the consequences of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“If you’re out partying this Christmas then please plan ahead and book a taxi, check public transport times or don’t drink. If you know of someone who is driving under the influence of drink or drugs then please do the right thing and call us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously before they kill themselves or somebody else.”
Meanwhile, Cumbria Police have worked with a local family to talk about their experience involving a drink driver. In October 2013 a fatal one vehicle road traffic collision occurred on the B5288, between Greystoke and Motherby, near Penrith. A BMW, left the road and collided with a hedgerow and a dry stone wall. The driver and two other passengers survived the collision, but tragically 22 year old Dominic Matthew Loftus tragically died at the scene. The driver of the car was a drink driver who was over the prescribed legal limit.
The parents of Dominic, Ian and Susan Loftus have spoken to Cumbria Police about the impact this incident has had on their family’s life. They have also spoken about the impact on their friends and local community following this tragic event. In the video there is also a message for anyone thinking of having a drink and getting behind the wheel this Christmas.
You can see an extended or a short video of Ian and Susan Loftus describing their experience.
Chief Inspector Terry Bathgate from the Mobile Support Unit, said: "This individual case shows that drink driving can cause a tragic loss of life on Cumbria’s roads. This highlights the wider impact in the months and years following a drink driving incident that can deeply affect the family, friends and local community. We echo the words of Ian and Susan Loftus that although this is a Christmas drink drive campaign we want the public to be aware of the consequences 365 days a year. We want to directly appeal to anyone thinking of getting behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs to watch this video and think twice about their actions.”
“Prevention is definitely best when it comes to reducing the risk to people’s lives. We support the words of Ian and Susan and want to stop a driver before they kill or seriously injure someone and therefore this year we continue to appeal to members of the public to contact the police when they suspect a person driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Such calls will be treated as an emergency as lives could be at stake and we hope that members of the public will be responsible with this assistance.”
Officers from the Mobile Support Unit along with assistance from Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs throughout December. As well as intelligence-led checks patrols will be carrying out regular spot checks on the county’s roads.
Chief Inspector Bathgate added: “Another area of concern that we would like to highlight is the number of people who drive the morning after a night where they have been drinking. Many people will be attending Christmas and New Year parties during December and may have more to drink than usual. What many can underestimate is the effect that this has the following morning and some will get in a car thinking they will be fit to drive when they are in fact, still over the alcohol limit.
“Our message is clear, don’t drive under the influence of drink or drugs. It is easy to make alternative arrangements to get home. Don’t ruin your own or other people’s Christmas by making a decision to drive whilst under the influence, it’s not worth it.”
Chris Broadbent, from the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership, said: “This is a vital campaign which we support every year that aims to stop people from driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“The Cumbria Road Safety Partnership meet throughout the year in order to make the county’s roads safer and the issue of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one that is sadly a constant discussion point.
“I hope members of the public back this campaign and provide Police with the intelligence which could make the difference between a happy Christmas and a tragic one.”
Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said: “The message is simple ‘Don’t drink or take drugs and drive’. Doing so can have tragic consequences which have a devastating and lasting impact on the lives of so many people. Please don’t do it.”