Seasonal breath testing campaign launched

28 November 2008

Drink and drive and the force will be with you – that's the message Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership is sending to revellers as police embark on their seasonal breath-testing campaign.

During the campaign, shoppers in Derby, Buxton and Chesterfield will be invited to play the partnership's Drunk Driver arcade game.

Chief Superintendent Lynn Harris from Derbyshire police said: "Some people say they feel safe driving after a few drinks – but you should never think you're ok to drive when you've been drinking because alcohol affects your judgement.

"Our arcade game Drunk Driver allows people to take a sober look at how driving skills suffer when alcohol is involved. We hope it will encourage them to spread the word that one drink is one too many if you're driving." 

The partnership's arcade game turns sober players into drink drivers using beer goggles, which mimic the effect drinking has on eyesight. At the end of each ride, police staff and a qualified driving instructor will be on hand to talk about how much damage the player could have done if they were driving for real.

Below are details of where you can play the Drunk Driver arcade game in the lead up to Christmas:

  • Derby Market Place – December 5 and 6
  • Buxton's Pavilion Gardens – December 11 and 12
  • Chesterfield's Vicar Lane shopping centre – December 18 and 19 

Chief Superintendent Lynn Harris said: "If you fail a breath test, you could be banned from driving for up to three years. We'll be breath-testing in the morning as well as the evening because some people still think that it's fine to drink until the early hours then drive to work the next morning.

"Alcohol doesn't magically disappear from your system just because you've snatched a few hours' sleep. Everything you drink stays in the body for up to 12 hours after it is consumed and even more in some people."

Chief Superintendent Harris added: "Drink driving kills and it ruins the lives of those left behind. Please help us to prevent more misery by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you see someone getting behind the wheel after drinking."

During December, adverts highlighting the dangers of drink driving will appear in local newspapers as well as pubs and clubs across the county.