This in from the Police, in their own words. Ed
How much is a life worth?
Pint of beer”¦ £2.50
Bottle of wine”¦ £6
Litre of petrol”¦ £1.40
Ruining a life”¦ £?
That’s the question police in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are asking motorists at the start of this summer’s drink and drug drive campaign.
It’s an indication of the risk you run if you think it’s acceptable to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Officers out on patrol
Officers will be out on patrol, as they do year-round, to educate drivers and enforce the law by conducting tests for alcohol and drugs.
Chief Inspector Cleave Faulkner who leads the Roads Policing unit said: “We all like to be out and about with friends and family when the nice weather finally arrives, but if you’re out for a drink make sure you either leave your vehicle at home or stick to soft drinks.
“We want to educate people about the dangers and prevent collisions which could have been avoided.”
Figures recorded by Hampshire Constabulary show 1 in 10 drivers stopped by the police in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight over the last two years failed a test.
| Breath and drugs tests | Tests failed | People arrested for impaired driving offences | Injury collisions where impairment a factor | |
| 2009/10 | 30690 | 10% | 2893 | 184 |
| 2010/11 | 29877 | 10% | 2756 | 189 |
Chief Inspector Faulkner continued: “Over the last two years, we’ve seen more than 370 injury collisions on the road where the driver was impaired through drink or drugs.
“This summer, we’ll also be out on the roads, as we are year-round, enforcing the law, breath testing drivers we suspect of being over the limit and pursuing prosecutions against those who mindlessly put their own lives and the lives of other road users at risk.
“We know what to look for so the chances are you will be caught, fined, banned from driving or even sent to jail.
“If drink or drug-driving doesn’t kill you or someone else, it can still ruin lives. You can’t put a value on a life, so why even take the risk?”
If you suspect someone is driving under the influence of drink or drugs and is an immediate danger to others or themselves, dial 999.
If it is not an emergency situation, you can call 101 or send a text message to 80999. Callers outside Hampshire can use 0845 045 45 45.
