Festive breath testing campaign launched

1 December 2009

Make your last order a taxi home – that’s the message Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership is sending to revellers as police embark on their festive breath-testing campaign.

Superintendent Gary Parkin from Derbyshire police said: “Drink and drug driving are a continuing menace on our roads and blight the lives of too many families every year. There are still far too many who are prepared to risk the safety of themselves and others during the festive season.

“Breath-testing will be carried out throughout the day because alcohol does not disappear from your system just because you‘ve slept for a few hours. Some people still think that it’s fine to drink until the early hours then drive to work the next morning”.

Superintendent Parkin added: “We want everyone to have a happy but safe Christmas and if you are going to have a drink either choose a nominated driver who drinks non-alcoholic drinks or use public transport or taxis to get you safely home.”

During the campaign, peer educators from Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust will be will be visiting pubs and clubs to hand out a free safe travel guide to people in their teens and early twenties. Partying?Your 5 step guide to getting home safely is designed to fit easily into a wallet or purse so that revellers can use it while they’re out and about.

Linda Kiernan, from Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust, said: “Young people often relate best to people of their own age – that’s why we employ people between 18 and 30 to talk to their peers about health issues.

“When the police told us that drink driving is a growing problem among young people, we were happy to support their work.”   

During December, adverts highlighting the dangers of drink driving will feature on Derbyshire radio stations and in local newspapers. 

Superintendent Parkin added: “Please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you see someone getting behind the wheel after drinking. You won’t be asked your name, your call won’t be traced and you don’t have to go to court.”