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Drink Drive free this summer

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Drink Drive free this summer

Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police have been supporting the national summer drink drive enforcement campaign (which started 1st June). Drink and drug driving offences typically increase during the summer and with a month of televised World Cup football at home or on big screens people may be tempted to risk mixing drinking with driving. The campaign, entitled ‘Kick Drink Drive’ aims to raise awareness of the consequences of driving after drinking.

To date 114 people have been arrested across Warwickshire and West Mercia for being under the influence of alcohol or drugs since the start of the campaign.

Over the past three years, 103 people have been killed or seriously injured in West Mercia and 81 in Warwickshire as a result of collisions involving drink or drugs. Of particular concern is those motorists aged between 17 and 30; Just over 50% of drivers involved in collisions causing death or serious injury involving drink or drugs were aged 17-30, of which around 85% were male. Vicki Bristow, Communications Manager at the Safer Roads Partnership, says:

“It’s encouraging that most motorists that have been stopped and asked to give a breath sample have been under the drink drive limit; however there are obviously still people out there who feel they can gamble with drinking and driving and think they know how much the limit is. The simple fact is, there is only one way of being sure that you are safe to drive and that is not to drink at all. Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive. We would ask people to consider other options when out drinking over the summer and whilst watching the matches, public transport, taxis and using nominated drivers are easy to arrange – drinking and driving simply isn’t worth the risk. Our message is simple; Don’t let the side down, enjoy the World Cup responsibly, don’t Drink and Drive.”

Superintendent Lee Davenport for Warwickshire and West Mercia Police comments: “Cracking down on those who take drugs or drink and then drive is a year round commitment for both forces. However, we are very aware the summer can present opportunities where people are tempted to drive after taking drugs or drinking. To combat this, extra patrols are in place in a bid to tackle those who commit the unacceptable act of drinking or drug driving.”