This in from the police, in their own words. Ed
Police across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have arrested 85 people on suspicion of drink or drug-driving two weeks into the Christmas drink-drive prevention campaign.
The ‘Where Will You End Up tonight?’ campaign has seen 69 men and 16 women arrested between December 1 and December 13, 2015.
In total, 61 of those arrested have been charged, with 16 bailed and eight (8) released with no further action.
The campaign, which runs until the January 1, 2016, sees police targeting individuals they suspect of driving under the influence of drink or drugs, both on the way home from nights out and the morning after a heavy night.
Campaign video
A new video is being screened for the campaign, which is a joint initiative between Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police, featuring a young woman who believes that she wakes up after a night out – only for the viewer to realise that in fact her body is in a mortuary.
So far, the video has been viewed more than 275,000 times on Facebook and YouTube, and the campaign itself has been seen by 770,000 on Facebook.
To watch the ‘Where will you end up tonight?’ video, please visit our YouTube channel:
Follow us on Twitter @HantsPolice and @HantsPolRoads with the hashtag #ItsNotWorthTheRisk
Follow our Vine cop @HantsPCMark to watch his #StarWars Episode 999 saga reinforcing awareness of the drink-drive campaign: https://twitter.com/hantspcmark?lang=en-gb
Hampshire road safety Sergeant Rob Heard said:
“Preventing and catching drivers under the influence of drink or drugs remains an absolute priority for police at this time of year. Officers are on regular patrols across the Isle of Wight and Hampshire taking a rigorous approach to stopping those motorists endangering lives through their reckless actions.
“Everyone should remember the catastrophic consequences for individuals and their families when a death or injury occurs as a result of drink or drug driving.
“Hampshire Constabulary is most grateful for the support of the Staley family sharing the story of their daughter Evey and allowing the car involved in her fatal collision to be displayed around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight again this December.
“We’ve taken the vehicle display so far to Aldershot, Southampton and the Isle of Wight where the public’s reaction has shown empathy and emotive support.
“The first-hand experience of witnessing the destruction that can be caused by a drink-driving collision underlines why it’s not worth the risk.”
Reporting an impaired driver
If you believe someone is driving whilst impaired, please take action.
Phone Hampshire Constabulary on 101 or text 80999 with details of the vehicle, driver, location and times.
If you wish to remain anonymous, contact the independent Crimestoppers charity by phoning 0800 555 111.
Deaf access and dedicated sign language video
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired or deafblind you can use the following:
Emergency SMS – 999
Emergency Minicom TextRelay – 18000
You have to be registered to use this SMS service. Simply text ‘register’ from your mobile phone to 999 and follow the instructions. For more information visit www.emergencysms.org.uk
Non-emergency SMS – 07781 480999
Non-emergency Minicom TextRelay – 18001 101
Police 24 hour Fax 01962 874201
Hampshire Constabulary’s Deaf Access Sergeant Glen Barham has created a specific sign language video for the deaf community to convey the dangers of drink and drug driving.
Alcohol risks
It is not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. The way alcohol affects you depends on:
- 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
People also need to be aware of driving the next day and how you may still be impaired: After just four pints of lager, you may not be safe to drive for up to 13 hours.
Whether you are drinking in the afternoon at a works 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.
Consequences
A drink-driving conviction is a criminal conviction. Here are some of the consequences:
- 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 policies about misconduct; 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 can make it very difficult for you to get another job.
