Even one is too many

Wednesday 07 December 2016

As the holiday season of cocktail parties and office Christmas celebrations gains momentum, Jersey Police today launched a campaign to warn Islanders not to drink and drive.

Drivers caught operating a vehicle while over the alcohol limit face heavy fines and driving bans but far more serious is the potential harm their careless actions can bring to others.

"It's a shared space," Acting Inspector Paul Smith said. "There is no reason to drink and drive. Catch a bus. Take a taxi or nominate a driver."

While arrest numbers for drink driving offences over the holiday period have been declining - falling to nine last year from 12 in 2014 - even one incident of drink driving can have deadly consequences. 

“Driving after drinking intoxicants is a major cause of death and injury on the roads," said Insp. Smith, who is leading this year's awareness campaign. "It’s never okay to drink and drive, it’s simply not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. So if you’re driving, it’s better to have none for the road."

Attitudes toward drink driving have shifted following aggressive awareness campaigns over the recent years, he said. Last Christmas, 62 percent of drink drive arrests were made as a result of information from the public. 

Police are hoping the public will help again this year to keep the roads safe. He said that while tips can be made anonymously, those making calls are usually willing to provide Police with their details, again suggesting that the anti-social nature of the offence is accepted by Islanders. 

“With the Christmas period of goodwill upon us please consider the effect of your decisions on others and yourself," said Insp. Smith. 

The social consequences of a drink driving offence are many, he added: "You will lose your licence. You could lose your job, your mortgage and that's if you are lucky. If you are unlucky, you could be gravely injured or gravely injure others. It's just so needless."

Additional patrols of both States and Honorary Police will be working in all parishes and Insp. Smith said the members of the public can expect to be stopped and spoken to but that Police will try to keep disruptions minimal. 

Planning and vigilance are key to keeping the roads safe, he said.

“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. Alcohol impairs many of the functions necessary for safe driving and the risk of road traffic injury rapidly increases with alcohol consumption, driving after drinking intoxicants is a major cause of death and injury on the roads.”