Suffolk’s emergency services and Roadsafe partners have joined together ahead of the launch of the annual Christmas campaign highlighting the dangers of driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs. The month-long initiative begins today, Thursday 1 December, and continues until Sunday 1 January, in conjunction with a UK-wide operation organised by the National Police Chiefs’ Council. It will see officers carrying-out roadside checks throughout the day and night – including early morning checks – as well as intelligence-led enforcement activity. Collisions caused by people drink or drug driving will often result in police, fire and ambulance crews all having to attend the scene and this places an additional strain on the emergency services at a busy time of year. To highlight the wider ramifications of drink and drug driving, representatives from Suffolk Roadsafe and the county’s emergency services – including Suffolk Constabulary, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, and East of England Ambulance Service – officially launched the campaign during an event held at Ipswich East Fire Station yesterday. This year, Suffolk Police is combining with a number of other forces across the country to speak with one voice, promoting the message: ‘Drink Driving – Together We Can Stop It.’ The campaign will officially launch on Monday 5 December and will seek to focus peoples’ minds that stopping drink-driving is a shared responsibility – for example, if you have friends or relatives that you know will take risks and drive under the influence, then you should do all you can to persuade them not to get behind the wheel. If you can’t stop them, then you should call the police. Inspector Gary Miller, of the Joint Roads & Armed Policing Team, said: “I am grateful once again to our Suffolk Roadsafe and emergency service colleagues for joining together with us in launching this year’s campaign. Disappointingly, despite all the work we do to highlight the dangers of drink and drug-driving, too many people are still prepared to gamble with their life and the lives of others. The notion of drink-driving as one of shared responsibility is something that I 100% support. Although the person committing the offence carries the ultimate responsibility, if – for example - you know someone you have just been out drinking with is going to drive themself home when clearly over the limit, you are making yourself complicit with their actions. Although you are obviously not committing a criminal offence in that instance, you have to consider morally what your responsibilities are. How would you feel if that person was then subsequently involved in a serious or fatal collision? Would you want that on your conscience? I would hope most people would not.” Tim Passmore, Police & Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, added: “Drink and drug driving kills and there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to drive if they are impaired. I’d like to think the message is getting through but sadly there are still drivers prepared to risk their own lives and the lives of others so this year we are encouraging everyone to take responsibility, whether you are behind the wheel or not. Sadly, there are still those, who despite the obvious dangers, insist on taking to the road under the influence of drink or drugs. Let’s all hope that this year by working together we can keep unfit drivers off our roads, together we can stop it.” Toby Gray, Area Manager for Prevention and Protection for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service remains committed to working with our emergency service partners to ensure that Suffolk continues to be a safe place for people to live, work in and visit. Our firefighters have sadly seen the devastation caused by driving under the influence first-hand when attending road traffic collisions – and we are pleased to lend our support to a campaign to stop this deadly crime. People often think that having one or two extra drinks won’t cause any harm, but this significantly increases the chance of an accident which could leave innocent victims with life-changing or fatal injuries. So please drive responsibly over the festive season and encourage your friends and loved ones to do the same.” During last year’s campaign in Suffolk, a total of 150 motorists were arrested, with 74 people failing breath tests and 67 people providing positive drug tests. In addition, eight people failed to provide a specimen and one person was arrested for being unfit to drive through drink and drugs. Anyone charged and bailed for drink-driving in Suffolk will appear at the next available remand court and so this effectively means that offenders could lose their driving licence within 24 hours of being breathalysed, whilst facing additional fines.
Anyone with information about suspected drink or drug driving should contact Suffolk Police, by either emailing their local Safer Neighbourhood Team - the details of which can be found here - or by calling 101.
In case of an emergency, or if you believe a crime is in progress, always dial 999
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Don’t forget to follow the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team on Twitter @NSRAPT for updates throughout the campaign.