Local police force launch anti-drink and drive campaign

Together with Hampshire Constabulary the two police forces will be conducting operations across the Thames Valley aimed at reducing the number of alcohol and drug related incidents on the roads in the run-up to the festive season.
Last year’s campaign saw more than 6,000 drivers given a breath test for the month long campaign that begins on the first of December each year.
Ch Insp Henry Parsons, of Roads Policing for Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary, said: “Drink driving devastates lives every year, both directly in terms of killing and injuring people, or indirectly through the lifelong guilt suffered, being convicted and the implications of losing your license, your job, your freedom.
“We will be conducting both high profile checks and more discreet operations to tackle this menace.
“We’re asking people to make the right choice and not even consider drinking and driving. As well as this, we will act on reports of drink drivers so please report these to us, either via 999 if they are driving or about to, or via 101 if a slower time report. You could save a life by doing this and will make your roads safer for all.”
Across the Thames Valley, Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight, 144 people were killed or seriously injured last year (Jan-Dec 2013), where alcohol was a factor in the crash (15 killed and 129 seriously injured). This is a three per-cent rise compared to the previous year.
Across Thames Valley this year (Jan-Oct 2014) 11,224 drivers have been breath tested after a road crash. One in five drivers tested had alcohol in their system; seven per-cent were under the drink drive limit but 12 per-cent were over the limit and were arrested.
Thames Valley Police are reminding motorists they will always conduct a breath test after an accident and that alcohol remains in your system even the following day after drinking large quantities.