Police Launch Winter Drink And Drug Drive Campaign

Humberside Police, in partnership with Safer Roads Humber, will be raising awareness to reduce drink and drug driving on our roads.

During the summer 2015 campaign 387 breath tests were carried out following collisions on the roads of Humberside. A further 1599 were carried out on drivers who were stopped by police officers.

Out of the 387 breath tests carried out following collisions 26 of them were classed as positive, refused or failed to provide.

Out of the 1599 breath tests carried out on drivers stopped by officers 73 of them were classed as positive, refused or failed to provide.

Attitudes towards drink driving are changing but now Police Forces across the country have increased powers to drug test drivers.

Officers will be testing drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs as well as drink by using testing kits that were introduced in March this year.

It illegal to drive with a specific controlled drug in the body above the accepted limit for that drug. This law provides a more effective tool for police officers when dealing with the dangers posed by drug drivers.

Casualty Reduction Officer Barry Gardner; “There are a worrying number of drivers now caught drug driving.”

Nationally drink and drug driving is still a problem and continued campaigns are necessary to tackle the issue.

Humberside Police operate an intelligence-led approach based on information provided by members of the public and police intelligence systems which is helping officers to target specific offenders.

A more intelligence-led approach to drink drivers by officers nationally in 2014 resulted in a reduction in the number of tests carried out, down to 133,996, but a higher failure rate by percentage, with 5885, or 4.39%, failing breath tests.

Younger drivers remain proportionately more likely than their over-25 counterparts to fail a breath-test for driving under the influence of alcohol. This age range also represents nearly a quarter (22%) of all the casualties that are killed or seriously injured in the Humberside region. As such, young people remain a priority group for our local road safety partnership, Safer Roads Humber.

Humberside Police Casualty Reduction Officer Barry Gardener says, “Although we are always enforcing the drink drive laws, this time of year sees so many people out on works nights out and parties. People must consider how they are going to get home safely, drinking and driving in NEVER an option.

“It’s not just parties that people should consider, dropping in for a quick drink with family or having a beer or glass of wine after you’ve done the shopping, they all count and if you could easily find yourself over the legal limit.

“Younger drivers remain proportionately more likely than their over-25 counterparts to fail a breath-test for driving under the influence of alcohol. This age range also represents nearly a quarter (22%) of all the casualties that are killed or seriously injured in the Humberside region. As such, young people remain a priority group for our local road safety partnership, Safer Roads Humber.

“I would ask that anyone who suspects someone of drink driving through the period of the campaign, and of course throughout the year, to report it to us by phoning 101 or calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Drink or Drug Driving – the consequences
Over 50,000 people throughout the UK were dealt with by the police in 2012 for Drink Driving offences. Over 50,000 thought they could get away with it, they thought they wouldn’t get caught.
The penalties for drink or drug driving are the same.

If you are convicted you will receive:
• A minimum 12 month driving ban
• A criminal record
• A fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in prison or both

The consequences of a drug drive conviction are far reaching and can include:
• Job loss
• Loss of independence
• The shame of having a criminal record
• Increase in car insurance costs
• Trouble getting in to countries like the USA

Barry Gardner says, “During this campaign, or at anytime, if you suspect someone is going to drink and drive you can phone the police on the non-emergency number 101. We will act on information received by members of the public so I would encourage people to report any drink driver to us immediately.”

You can also phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report anonymously on the Crimestoppers website www.crimestopppers-uk.org.