Avon and Somerset Police’s annual Christmas drink driving campaign has begun, with ‘morning after’ drivers becoming one of their main targets through the festive period.
On the 50th anniversary of the first nationwide public information film on drinking and driving, Operation Tonic will run throughout December and into the New Year, aiming to help reduce deaths, serious injuries and crime on the roads by tackling drink and drug driving.
Police activity during the month will include vehicle stop-check operations, targeted patrols and awareness-raising at events and in pubs and bars.
Officers 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.
Road Safety Superintendent Richard 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.
“Two hundred and thirty road deaths in Britain last year were directly linked to drink driving. A recent survey states that 91% of the public agreed that drinking and driving was unacceptable and 92% of people said they would feel ashamed if they were caught drinking and driving.
“Operation Tonic is designed to support our work in making all of our roads safer. Death and serious injury on our roads remains a significant concern with over 1700 people killed in Britain last year.
“We know that there are four major reasons which contribute to these tragic numbers – drink and drug driving, excessive speed, using a mobile phone while driving and failing to wear a seatbelt.
“The annual Christmas drink driving campaign supports our work in these areas with visible policing, media coverage and education.”
During the summer campaign in Avon and Somerset, 158 people were arrested on suspicion of drink/drugs driving, most between 7pm-6am. But seven were made between 6am-9am and 17 between 9am-7pm.
Supt Corrigan said: “If you are out in the evening enjoying a few drinks,make sure you have arrangements in place for getting home, such as a taxi or a lift with friends, and ensure you leave plenty of time for the alcohol to leave your system if you are driving the next day.
“Drinking and driving can lead to collisions and cause serious injury or death and we will look to prosecute anyone found to be over the legal limit. The message is simple – don’t drink and drive.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens added: “Road safety is one of the main issues people write to me about so I’m acutely aware of how important it is to our communities.
“Tackling drink-driving – both by raising awareness of the dangers along with enforcement – is an important part of keeping our roads safe and I know local residents will be supportive of this activity.”
Operation Tonic forms part of the police’s Have the Christmas You Deserve campaign, which will be running throughout December.
The campaign incorporates a number of activities to tackle issues related to the festive period, such as keeping your Christmas gifts safe and helping people to stay safe over the party season.
