Police to target drink-drivers

CHESHIRE POLICE WILL BE making efforts to crack down on drink driving this Christmas.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), launched it’s new national anti-drink and drug driving campaign at the end of November and Cheshire Police will be delivering messages through a variety of initiatives across the county.

Last winter there were 3,273 people breathalysed, a rise from 2011 where 3,089 were tested, although in 2012 there was a lower number of positive tests.

ACPO national roads policing lead, Deputy Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, said: “Drink driving is entirely avoidable, there is no excuse and no good reason. If you choose to drink and drive, you face a £5,000 fine, a 12 month driving ban and a criminal record – and that’s if your drive home was incident-free. There are obviously far greater consequences too.”

“Those who think they are fit to take the risk of driving while intoxicated are amongst the most selfish in our society – they spare no thought for themselves and, even more they spare no thought for the lives that they are capable of destroying in the blink of an eye.”

Assistant Chief Constable, Ruth Purdie said: “Our message to all drivers is, if you know you have to drive, don’t drink and if the thought of going out and not drinking is too much to bear, don’t drive. If you are driving under the influence of drink or drugs, we will be watching out for you, we will catch you and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Cheshire Police will be running their own campaign to highlight the dangers of drink driving by displaying the ‘Think’ car around the county. The car was donated to the emergency services by the family of a 21-year-old man who died in a drink related accident two years ago.

The dates and locations of the ‘Think’ car can be found on the Cheshire Police website.