Christmas drink-drive blitz launched

The fight against drink and drug drivers is being stepped up as part of a new campaign in the run up to Christmas. New radio and internet ads will be launched alongside TV commercials, cinema and in-pub advertising to help get the message across for the Christmas THINK campaign. It will see police up the use of roadside breath tests and raise awareness of the risks of motoring while under the influence. There will also be increased use of Field Impairment Tests such as balance and co-ordination exercises to detect drug use. Police are warning that revellers may be unaware that they are still over the limit in the morning after a Christmas party and advise designating a non-drinking driver or making alternative arrangements such as getting a cab home from the Yuletide bash. Anyone caught driving under the influence of drink or drugs will be arrested and can expect to lose their licence, be fined or sent to prison. Meanwhile, new research has shown that driving with a hangover is four times more dangerous than getting behind the wheel sober. A poor night's sleep, low blood sugar and dehydration all affect the ability to drive safely even if someone is within the drink-drive limit, the Brunel University research study found. Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "Drink-driving ruins lives. Last year 460 people died and families across Britain were devastated by the menace of drink driving." He added: "Drink-drivers are treated like any other criminal - they face giving blood and DNA samples and being locked in a police cell. They'll also get a minimum 12 months driving ban, criminal record and large fine. Don't ruin Christmas in a moment of selfishness." A new AA/Populus poll has seen 11,388 motorists reveal that 47 per cent of them know someone who drinks and drives. It found 67 per cent would notify police if they knew someone who drove under the influence of a large amount of alcohol while 32 per cent were very likely to do this. Meanwhile, bereaved parents Amanda and Phil Peak, whose sons were killed in a car crash caused by drunken footballer Luke McCormick, have called for a lower drink-drive level and tougher penalties against offenders. Ten-year-old Arron and his brother Ben, eight, were killed when the Plymouth Argyle goalkeeper's Range Rover hit their people carrier on the M6 near Stoke-on-Trent in June. Mrs Peak said: "It's Christmas coming up and you know all those people are going to go out, get drunk, get in their car the next morning and not think of the consequences they are going to cause." She called for the UK to come into line with countries such as Sweden and Poland, which have an extremely low legal blood-alcohol limit. McCormick is serving a seven-year sentence after admitting causing death by dangerous driving and drink-driving.

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ITN | December 1, 2008

Tags:. .brunel. .dehydration. .fitzpatrick. .hangover. .impairment