With the World Cup kicking off and hot weather predicted, many people are expected to celebrate and socialise over the summer with a few drinks, possibly when they hadn’t planned to. Cheshire Police has issued a warning that anyone who drinks and then gets behind the wheel will be caught and prosecuted as the Force continues its clampdown on drink driving.
Between 2007–2009, 1 in 5 road deaths in Cheshire was caused by drink driving.
Cheshire Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Constable, Phil Thompson, commented: “Summer is a great time for socialising and having fun, which can often involve a couple of drinks — especially those unplanned ones during your lunch break, or on the way home. And with the World Cup, there may be more reason to celebrate. Our message is very clear: have fun, drink if you want to, but do not get behind the wheel and drive. If you do, we’ll catch you and prosecute you. Cheshire Police wants to continue to show the public that drink driving is completely irresponsible, antisocial and a danger to innocent road users.
“The consequences of drink driving will affect you and others for life. You risk killing or seriously injuring yourself, your passengers or someone else. If you’re convicted, you will face a fine, driving disqualification and have a criminal record; you could also go to prison. We’re asking all motorists to think about how drink driving could affect their lives and those of innocent people. Neither I, nor my officers, want to be breaking the awful news that a drunken driver has killed their loved one.
“We will be out in force, particularly during World Cup games, to crack down on those who think they can drink drive and get away with it. We are doing more roadside stop and check operations than ever before, at all times of the day and night and on all types of road. You have very little chance of getting away with driving under the influence.”
As a minimum, the consequences of a drink drive court conviction are:
· A driving ban of at least 12 months.
· An endorsement of your driving licence for 11 years.
· A criminal record.
You may also be liable to a fine of up to £5,000 and up to 6 months in prison.
All police officers across the Force will be involved in the campaign, and will be using fully liveried and unmarked vehicles. High profile checks will regularly take place and motorists involved in collisions or committing road traffic offences will be breathalysed, or asked to perform a Field Impairment Test to check for drugs, regardless of the time.
Member of the public can help save lives by confidentially reporting drink drivers by ringing the Crime Stoppers hotline on 0800 555 111 or calling Cheshire Police on 0845 458 0000.
For more information on how we are tackling Drink and Drug Driving, visit www.mysaferroads.org.uk and www.cheshire.police.uk
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