The Hampshire County Council is to launch a safety campaign from November 30th, to try to stop driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The Council will be using taxi’s in Hampshire areas such as, Gosport, Winchester, Basingstoke and Andover with the slogan “I’ll drink, you drive”, to help people act responsibly whilst on night’s out over the Christmas period.
People’s driving ability is affected by just one drink and any drugs, and driving after taking either of theses creates a risk for you and other road users, which was seen in the 15,935 people who were injured or killed in a drink driving incident in 2007 alone.
Being caught driving under the influence of drink has the same penalty as with drugs, which is a £5,000 fine and a ban from diving for a year.
The Council is also suggesting that people should consider how safe their prescribed medication is, asking the question, “Could your prescribed or over-the-counter medication impair your driving? Always ask the pharmacist.”
Councillor Kendal the Executive Member for Environment said:
“We want everyone to get home safely, Having just one drink or taking drugs will impair driving skills. Driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs is extremely dangerous and could harm you and innocent road users.”
Sergeant John Dainton from Hampshire Constabulary Road Policing unit stated:
“We’’ be out patrolling the roads throughout Christmas and New Year as we do all year round. If you’re foolish enough to drive whilst under the influence, the chances are you will get caught.”
This campaign will be running for six weeks beginning the 30th November and the pharmacy bag campaign will be running until the end of December.
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