This in from the police. Ed
A month-long campaign starts this week to prevent the destruction and distress caused by motorists who drive after drinking or taking drugs.
Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police are working together as part of the two forces’ Joint Operations Unit (JOU) to deter and detect behaviour behind the wheel that puts lives in danger on our roads.
Drink and drug driving is recognised by independent research as one of the ‘fatal four’ factors that results in collisions that cause people to be killed or seriously injured.
Operation Holly to tackling crime and offending on the roads
Officers from both forces are conducting operations at all times throughout the day and night during December across the areas of Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Thames Valley.
Every driver involved in a collision will be breathalysed by police, and officers will make extra patrols based on intelligence about suspected offenders.
These policing tactics are designed to be a deterrent to any motorist thinking about driving while impaired by the effects of alcohol or drugs.
The Roads Policing Unit is now using Drug Analysers regularly so officers can carry out roadside drug tests when we have reasonable grounds to suspect a motorist may have a trace amount of an illegal drug in their body. If a trace is amount is detected, a motorist can be arrested and a blood sample taken. Those caught can lose their driver’s licence as a consequence.
Reporting an impaired driver
If any member of the public suspects someone is driving while impaired by drink or drugs, please take action to report details to police.
Phone Hampshire Constabulary on 101 or text 80999 with all the details of the vehicle, driver, location and times. In a life-threatening emergency, always dial 999. If you wish to remain anonymous, phone the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
It’s not worth the risk
Message from Hampshire Constabulary’s road safety officer.
Hampshire Constabulary’s road safety lead, Sergeant Rob Heard said:
“The importance of personal responsibility for your choices must be emphasised. Think about the pain and misery you could inflict on innocent road users by a reckless decision to drive or ride after consuming alcohol or taking drugs.
“Being caught in control of any motor vehicle under the influence of drink or drugs can destroy your own life.
“Motorists breaking the law can face a criminal conviction, a prison sentence, driving ban, and the loss of your job.
“I ask people to remember particularly that it is not possible specifically to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. The way alcohol affects you varies depending on your personal characteristics.”
These factors include:
- Your weight, age, sex and metabolism (the rate your body uses energy)
- The type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking
- What you’ve eaten recently
- Your stress levels at the time
The morning after
Sergeant Rob Heard said:
“The morning after is also a crucial time for your decisions and the safety of all road users.
“After just four pints of lager, you may not be safe to drive for up to 13 hours, so whether you are drinking in the afternoon, at a work Christmas party, or going out for a few drinks in the evening, make sure you are safe to drive.
“Just because you haven’t had a drink for a few hours, it doesn’t mean all the alcohol has left your system and you can drive, you are still likely to be over the limit.”
Project Pictogram
Sergeant Rob Heard added:
“Hampshire Constabulary alongside many of our partner agencies are proud supporters of Project Pictogram, which was launched across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight earlier this year.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to encourage more employers and their staff to download and display the fatal four round symbols as part of our ongoing commitment to Project Pictogram.
“The circular white symbols with red outlines are designed to use a “nudge theory” approach; a scientific concept to influence positive safer behaviour to motorists each time they see the stickers displayed on the backs and sides of vehicles.”
Further consequences
A drink driving conviction is a criminal conviction. Here are some of the consequences of receiving a criminal conviction:
- Your car insurance could go up. Having a criminal record will make it extremely difficult to get any other kind of insurance;
- To buy a mortgage you have to disclose any unspent convictions
- You may not be able to travel to America if you have a criminal conviction. Travelling to a country where you need a visa or a working permit can be very difficult with a criminal record;
- Colleges and universities will have their own policies about misconduct and getting in trouble with the police could have a knock on effect with your education;
- Lying to your employer on any kind of application which asks you to disclose any criminal convictions could be seen as fraud and lead to a further conviction;
- Getting into trouble with the law could be seen as gross misconduct by your employer and you could lose your job;
- Having a criminal record could make it very difficult for you to get another job.
Public events
Hampshire Constabulary’s road safety lead, Sergeant Rob Heard, is holding public events throughout December to raise and reinforce awareness of road safety advice ahead of Christmas. These include:
- A car crash display at Whitehill & Bordon Christmas Fair on Saturday, December 3.
- A car crash display at Tesco store in Whitehill on Saturday, December 10.
Statistics from Operation Holly last year (2015/2016)
Dedicated patrols were carried out regularly between December 1, 2015 and January 1, 2016 to deter and detect motorists suspected of putting lives in danger.
The number of people breath tested across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight during the campaign was 7,606, an increase on the 6,918 in 2014.
The number of arrests across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight increased as well from 195 in 2014 to 215 in 2015.
