Police launch drink-drive campaign

POLICE are promising that people caught drink or drug driving will face a miserable Christmas and an extremely unhappy New Year.

And they're calling on members of the public to shop a drink or drug driver by ringing 999 or texting the word drunk to a special number, 81819, from their mobile if they see anyone getting behind the wheel while under the influence.

The force's Operation Tonic Christmas drink and drug drive campaign began this morning (Friday, November 30) and will run until January 1, 2013.

Chief Insp John Holt of the Operations and Roads Policing Unit said: "Drink and drug driving is totally unacceptable and is a serious crime. Most people regard it as socially and morally wrong and I'm sure they fully support our all-year round campaign to make the roads of Avon and Somerset safer for all."

The system of texting the word drunk to 81819 was introduced last year by Avon and Somerset Police and had a good response from members of the public. This year it's hoped that more people will know about it and use it, giving police the chance to apprehend offenders and, importantly, deterring people who might think about taking a chance on driving.

This Christmas the 81819 number will be promoted on posters and beer mats, all part of the force's Have the Christmas You Deserve campaign that will run throughout December.

The campaign incorporates a range of activities to tackle issues relating to the festive period, such as keeping your Christmas gifts secure and helping people to stay safe over the party season.

Chief Insp Holt said: "We want everyone to have a happy, safe and crime-free Christmas. People should remember there is no safe drinking limit – other than not drinking at all."

Last Christmas 231 people gave positive breath or drugs tests – 13 for drugs. A total of 11,984 vehicles were stopped and drink/drug driving advice was given by officers. Of those stopped 1,771 were given breath or drugs tests. Just over 50 text messages were received giving information about drink or drugs drivers.

Tonic is part of the force's Operation Relentless campaign – reducing death, serious injury and crime on the roads of Avon and Somerset. Drink/drugs driving is one of the so-called 'fatal four' offences, together with speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving, that are known major causes of collisions.

Find out more about police are keeping you safe by visiting the Operation Relentless section and report intelligence, in confidence, through their online form.

You can also keep up-to-date on Operation Relentless on Twitter @ASPolice.

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