Essex Police Christmas Anti-Drink-Drive 2014
“Help us keep the roads safe this Christmas”
Essex Police are asking everyone to help keep the roads of Essex safe this Christmas by:
- Stopping family and friends getting behind the wheel if they’ve had an alcoholic drink.
- Dialling 999 if you know someone is drunk and you see them getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.
- Giving information about people who regularly choose to drink and drive by calling Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Adam Pipe, Casualty Reduction Manager, is heading up this year’s campaign. He said:
Every year I am shocked that some selfish and foolish people still choose to put lives at risk by drinking and driving.
Sleeping it off after a night out or drinking a strong coffee doesn’t mean you’re fit to drive. Alcohol takes time to work its way through your system and you could find yourself over the limit the morning after.
Christmas is a time for fun and celebration. We don’t want to spoil that but are asking everyone to remember the message of our campaign because the consequences of drink driving really do last much longer than a hangover.
Drinking driving risks lives, not just that of the driver and their passengers but other innocent people using the road. It can result in a criminal record, the loss of a driving licence or a fine of up to £5000. More seriously, it can kill or injure someone and leave the driver facing up to 14 years in prison and having to live with their actions for the rest of their lives.
Please be a safe and responsible driver this Christmas, please don’t drink and drive.
Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, said:
Too many people lost their lives last year due to drink drive incidents. But, there are still people out there who regularly drink drive and refuse to change their behaviour. We want to make the roads a safer place for everyone and we would urge you to give information to Crimestoppers anonymously about anyone who is regularly drink driving.
Crimestoppers never ask for your name or take any personal details, we cannot trace calls or track information given online and we do not record our calls. You will not have to give a statement to police or go to court. We don’t want to know who you are, just what you know. By taking action you could be helping to save a life – whether it’s the driver or an innocent victim.