Don't drink and drive this summer

4 June 2010

Don't spoil a summer night out by drinking and driving - that's the message from Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership as temperatures begin to rise.

Mike Ashworth, chairman of Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership, said: "Each summer almost 200 people don't make it home to their families because of drink driving. Your bus or taxi fare home is a small price to pay to avoid the pain caused by drink driving.

Mike added: "If you drive at twice the legal limit you’re at least 30 times more likely to cause a road crash than someone who hasn’t been drinking. Why gamble with your own life and put others at risk? It’s not worth it."

Throughout the summer, NHS Derbyshire County will be visiting pubs, clubs and festivals to hand out copies of the partnership’s free safe travel guide. Partying? Your five 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.

During the football world cup, pubs in Derby will be screening an advert containing the message: 'Stay on the Ball - Don't Drink Drive'. The adverts have been produced by Derby City Council along with free wallet-sized fixture cards bearing road safety messages.

Partnership chairman Mike Ashworth said: "Drink driving is a growing problem among 17 to 25 year olds. That's why we've asked the peer education team at NHS Derbyshire County to help us spread our anti drink drive message.

"The team employs people aged between 18 and 30 who talk to their peers about health issues – it works well because young people often relate best to people of their own age."

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.