For the first time, Avon and Somerset Police will be naming every motorist who is charged with a drink or drug driving offence during December and into the New Year.
As part of Operation Tonic, the force’s annual Christmas campaign to make the roads safer for all, anyone ordered to appear in court on suspicion of having committed a drink or drug-driving offence will have their names and details published online and made available to the media.
Road Safety Superintendent Richard Corrigan said: “We have decided, in line with other forces throughout the country, to name motorists in a bid to make people think twice before getting behind the wheel.
“This is another tool in our campaign to stop people driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. If just one person is persuaded not to take to the road as a result, then it is worthwhile as far as we are concerned.
“People who drink or drugs drive have made a deliberate choice to ignore 50 years of warnings and messages about the dangers. It is not ignorance.
“Hopefully, knowing that your name will be publicised will act as an additional strong deterrent to getting behind the wheel having consumed alcohol or drugs.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens said: “Publishing the names of people charged with drink-driving means some drivers will think twice before having that extra drink and getting behind the wheel.
“This can only be a good thing; most people already know the dangers but for some people the deterrent will be a fear that their family, friends, work colleagues and neighbours will find out about what they stand accused of.
“This, combined with raising awareness of the issue and enforcement action,will help keep our roads safe and I welcome the approach being taken by the police this Christmas.”
Police activity during the month will include vehicle stop-check operations, targeted patrols and awareness-raising at events and in pubs and bars.
Police are also urging anyone who has concerns about someone they believe may be drink or drug driving to call them on 101 or text the word drunk and as many details as they can to 81819.
Superintendent Corrigan said: “This year we will be extending our visible presence to the morning period as lots of intelligence indicates that people drive the morning after drinking heavily the night before.
“If you have several drinks on a night out you can’t simply assume you will be safe to drive the next day.
“We will be carrying out stop checks throughout the month and New Year and will arrest any drivers who are suspected to be driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.
“There is no excuse for driving over the limit. Our message is simple – everyone who drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a potential killer.”
