MOTORISTS across Droitwich and beyond are being reminded of the dangers of driving under the influence of drink or drugs during the festive period.
With the season of festivities nearly underway West Mercia Police’s Safer Roads Partnership is launching a campaign to raise awareness of the issues around drink and drug driving.
Increased enforcement activity from police officers across West Mercia will also be in place.
They say there is no foolproof way of calculating how much you can drink and remain under the limit, or knowing how much someone can drink and still drive safely.
It is hard to calculate how long alcohol may stay in your body if you are driving the morning after.
They say the safest option if you are driving is to drink no alcohol at all.
“There are plenty of alternatives available with public transport, taxis and sharing designated drivers. Pedestrians are also being encouraged to stay safe during the festive season and to plan safe routes home and to drink responsibly,” said a spokesperson.
Figures indicate that, over the past three years nine people were killed and 108 seriously injured in West Mercia following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor.
The campaign supports the month long winter drink drive campaign by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC).
Supt Daryn Elton for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police said: “There are still people out there who feel they can gamble with drinking and driving and think they know how much the limit is.
“Cracking down on those who take drugs or drink and then decide to drive is a year round commitment for us.
“However, we are very aware the festive season can present opportunities where people are tempted to drive under the influence.”
He added extra patrols would be carried out over the festive period in a bid to clampdown on those who chose to flout the law.
“The simple fact is, there is only one way of being sure that you are safe to drive and that is not to drink at all.”
