Police: Avoid the 'Summer-time blues'

Monday 25 July 2016

The police want your help catching people letting the sun and sangria go to their heads, and drinking and driving this Summer.

Last year 61 drivers were caught over the limit during the Summer months, almost half the number for the entire year and officers say they were tipped off about half of those they arrested.

Today they've launched their Summer drink drive campaign with the Road Safety Panel and officers will be out in force, checking the roads day and night and say they have bought an extra ten breathalysers to take out with them.

Inspector Paul Smith said: “We want to see significant reductions in the number of people who choose to drink and drive and we would ask that anyone with information concerning those who continue to put us all at risk by drink driving contact us on 612612 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Significantly, half of those arrested during last year’s summer campaign were as a result of information passed to us by the public.”

Police are also reminding drivers to be careful the morning after drinking, as it can take a long time for alcohol to leave people's systems. They say it's safer to walk, get a lift or take the bus.

Road Safety Panel Chairman Tim Parker-Garner said: “If you’re out with someone who’s having a drink and has the car keys with them, please make sure you don’t let them drive, share a taxi home, it just isn’t worth risking everyone’s safety and all of the fallout from being caught.”