Police step-up drink-drive campaign in Yeovil

POLICE stepped up their Christmas drink-drive campaign in Yeovil today by stopping motorists driving along Lysander Road.

Officers set up a temporary holding area on the busy Lysander Road where motorists were stopped as part of Avon and Somerset Constabulary's Operation Tonic initiative.

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. The campaign will run until January 1, 2013.

People can text information to police about those they suspect might be getting behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of drink and drugs.

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.

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.

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.

Tags:
News.