As the festive season approaches, the Department for Transport’s THINK! Christmas campaign is sounding the alarm on the dangers of drink driving, particularly among young men.
In our community, around two-thirds of casualties in drink-drive collisions are males aged 17 to 30. Nationally, 16 to 24-year-olds account for 24 per cent of these casualties, with a staggering 68 per cent being male.
Highlighting consequences of drink driving
The THINK! campaign, supported by the Isle of Wight council, aims to highlight the severe consequences of drink driving.
The campaign challenges the perception of personal limits and raises awareness that even a small amount of alcohol can jeopardise your safety and your licence.
For young men, this means understanding the risks — from losing their licence and the subsequent impact on personal freedom and social life, to the potential of injuring friends.
Why this approach?
DfT THINK research indicates that:
- 50 per cent of young male drivers intend to be sensible but often get carried away while socialising, putting themselves at risk even with a small amount of alcohol.
- Young drivers are more concerned about the inconvenience to their daily lives and loss of freedom than the immediate dangers.
- The concept of ‘laddering’—where one event leads to another—resonates deeply with young men, showing the cascading effects of drink driving.
Campbell: Let’s ensure our celebrations don’t end in tragedy
Lewis Campbell, the council’s road safety officer, said,
“The ripple effect of drink driving is profound for individuals, families and your community.
“One poor decision can lead to a lifetime of regret. It’s important for all motorists, and young men in particular, to consider the real consequences of drink driving.
“If convicted of driving over the legal alcohol limit, you will lose your licence, which is far more than a minor inconvenience — it impacts your social life, job, and the freedom you’ve worked hard for.
“In the worst scenarios, drink driving can mean a loss of life. Let’s ensure our celebrations don’t end in tragedy.”
Endangers lives
Drink driving is illegal and endangers lives by impairing your ability to drive, even after just one drink.
Alcohol affects everyone differently, making it impossible to know your limits. Factors such as size, age, gender, diet, and stress levels all play a role.
Drinking even a little alcohol impairs your driving and reaction times, potentially turning a close call into a life-altering mistake. The consequences extend beyond the driver, affecting family and friends. The risk of injury or worse is not worth a couple of pints.
Use alternative transport
If you’re visiting family and friends or attending an event, plan a safe route home.
Use public transport, book a taxi, or designate a sober driver. Your designated driver can still enjoy the festivities with soft drinks, mocktails, or zero alcohol beverages.
Lucioni: We must all take responsibility for our actions
Councillor Karen Lucioni, Cabinet member for community safety, added,
“We must all take responsibility for our actions.
“Drink driving not only puts your life and freedom at risk but also endangers the lives of others.
“This festive season, let’s make the right choice and keep our roads safe.”
Visit the Isle of Wight Council’s Christmas drink drive campaign webpage for more information.
Visit the THINK! 0% partnerships campaign webpage for more information.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
