Police launch drink-drive crackdown

The Christmas anti-drink-drive campaign has been launched
12 April 2012

Designated drivers will be offered a buy one get one free deal on soft drinks in pubs as part of the Government's Christmas campaign to crack down on drink-driving.

The Government's road safety campaign Think! has joined Coca-Cola to offer the drinks in more than 8,000 participating pubs.

The offer is in addition to radio advertising, posters in pub toilets and online search activity in a campaign that will run until January 2.

Launching the campaign, road safety minister Mike Penning said: "Drivers should be in no doubt that if they get behind the wheel after drinking this Christmas, they risk losing their licence as well as facing a fine and even a prison sentence.

"Last year 380 people were killed in accidents where the driver was over the limit. That is why our message is clear: don't drink and drive."

Chief Constable Mick Giannasi, head of roads policing with the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: "This year we are using information from the public to target those areas where drink-driving is a particular problem and so the chances of getting caught are greater than ever.

"If the police stop a driver, and there is any suspicion that they have been drinking, then they will be asked to provide a breath test and drivers should be in no doubt that if they are found to be over the limit they will be brought before the courts.

"Many drivers don't realise that alcohol stays in the system for a number of hours, and that they could still be over the limit the next morning when driving to work or dropping the children off at school. That is why we are asking drivers to be safe, not sorry, this Christmas."

Coca-Cola Great Britain and Ireland manager Jon Woods said: "This Christmas we're proud to be partnering with the Government's Think! initiative to help raise awareness of responsible drinking."

As the campaign was launched, the AA released details of a poll of 18,251 of its members which showed that the most popular excuse for drinking and driving is: "It's only down the road."

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