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01/12/2006
Government launches Christmas drink-drive crackdown
As Britain prepares for the festive season, the government has launched the annual THINK! drink drive campaign, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
This year, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Department for Transport (DfT) are combining their campaigns to remind potential drink drivers, and young men in particular, just how seriously the issue is taken.
The government said that research has shown that drink driving is less socially acceptable since the start of drink drive campaigns in 1976, but it still occurs and is particularly prevalent among young men - 36% of male breath test failures last year were men aged between 17 - 29 years old.
Drivers involved in an accident are more likely to be breathalysed on the UK's roads in December than in any other month. More than 9,000 drivers tested positive for alcohol during December last year - all of whom faced court proceedings.
The £1.5 million THINK! campaign launches on December 1 and will include TV, cinema, radio, online, cinema and in-pub advertising.
Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "During thirty years of our innovative, award-winning THINK! campaigns, we have more than halved the number of people killed in alcohol-related road accidents each year. This is a great achievement, but we will not be satisfied until we are sure everyone understands the risk of driving even after one drink.
"What the THINK! campaign is saying to drivers is very simple: enjoy the Christmas season, but remember drinking and driving do not mix."
On average, 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured every year in accidents where alcohol has been a factor. Nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit.
The legal limit in the UK is 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, but there is no failsafe guide as to how much you can drink and stay under the limit.
Attempting to drive whilst above the legal limit or unfit through drink carries a maximum of 6 months' imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a minimum 12 months driving ban.
Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs carries a maximum penalty of 14 years and a minimum 2 year driving ban with a requirement to pass an extended driving test before the offender is able to drive legally again.
(KMcA)
This year, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Department for Transport (DfT) are combining their campaigns to remind potential drink drivers, and young men in particular, just how seriously the issue is taken.
The government said that research has shown that drink driving is less socially acceptable since the start of drink drive campaigns in 1976, but it still occurs and is particularly prevalent among young men - 36% of male breath test failures last year were men aged between 17 - 29 years old.
Drivers involved in an accident are more likely to be breathalysed on the UK's roads in December than in any other month. More than 9,000 drivers tested positive for alcohol during December last year - all of whom faced court proceedings.
The £1.5 million THINK! campaign launches on December 1 and will include TV, cinema, radio, online, cinema and in-pub advertising.
Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander said: "During thirty years of our innovative, award-winning THINK! campaigns, we have more than halved the number of people killed in alcohol-related road accidents each year. This is a great achievement, but we will not be satisfied until we are sure everyone understands the risk of driving even after one drink.
"What the THINK! campaign is saying to drivers is very simple: enjoy the Christmas season, but remember drinking and driving do not mix."
On average, 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured every year in accidents where alcohol has been a factor. Nearly one in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit.
The legal limit in the UK is 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, but there is no failsafe guide as to how much you can drink and stay under the limit.
Attempting to drive whilst above the legal limit or unfit through drink carries a maximum of 6 months' imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a minimum 12 months driving ban.
Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs carries a maximum penalty of 14 years and a minimum 2 year driving ban with a requirement to pass an extended driving test before the offender is able to drive legally again.
(KMcA)
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Christmas drink drive campaign launched
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Christmas drink drive campaign launched
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30 June 2004
New anti-drink drive campaign to be launched
The deadly consequences of drivers consuming even a small amount of alcohol are to be depicted in a new advertising campaign. The £1.4 million TV, radio and cinema campaign will develop the message that it is impossible to precisely calculate alcohol limits; simply stated, don't drink at all if you want to drive.
New anti-drink drive campaign to be launched
The deadly consequences of drivers consuming even a small amount of alcohol are to be depicted in a new advertising campaign. The £1.4 million TV, radio and cinema campaign will develop the message that it is impossible to precisely calculate alcohol limits; simply stated, don't drink at all if you want to drive.
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