Warning as drink-drive figures in the North released
Nearly 4,000 people have been caught drink driving so far this year, police in the North revealed today.
The figures were released as the PSNI deployed new breath testing technology as part of their Christmas clampdown on alcohol abuse.
Senior officers and Fire Service representatives today warned that drivers who got behind the wheel after drinking risked causing death.
The new breath test kit indicates whether a driver has passed or failed, with a series of red, amber and green indicator lights, but the latest Home Office-approved units also display the alcohol level detected on screen, downloading the data to a central computer system.
Assistant Chief Constable Roy Toner said: “During our winter campaign last year, 629 people were arrested for drink driving.
“To date this year, over 3,800 people have been detected drink driving. These figures are frightening. Each of these drink drivers is a potential killer.
“Sadly, police officers regularly witness the results of drinking and driving. It kills, maims, wrecks families and communities, so I am appealing for all motorists to consider the consequences of their actions.
“Think about the consequences to yourself and your family of being involved in a serious collision. How would you feel if your selfish actions resulted in you or one of your family being paralysed? How would you feel if some innocent person was killed?
“Drink and drive and at best, you are likely to be caught, arrested and brought before the courts. You will almost certainly lose your licence for one or more years, will be fined, and will have great difficulty in obtaining car insurance in the future. You also risk losing your job or going to jail.
“I do not want officers knocking on doors at any time of the year, but especially over Christmas and the New Year, to tell families that a loved one has been killed on the roads.
“If everyone slowed down, did not drive after drinking or taking drugs, wore a seatbelt and drove with greater care and attention then together we can reduce this completely preventable carnage on our roads.”
Assistant Chief Constable Toner said officers in District Command Units, specialist Tactical Support Groups and officers from Road Policing Command Units across Northern Ireland will be running a series of operations throughout day and night, in the weeks leading up to Christmas and into the New Year, to catch drink drivers.
Environment Minister Sammy Wilson said: “Christmas is the season of good will and a time to get together with family, friends and colleagues. It is all too easy to take a festive drink and be tempted to drive home.
“Please don’t – think about those people who aren’t here this Christmas and what their families and friends will be going through at this time. Leave the car at home and take a taxi, or ask someone else to drive. No matter what time of the year – never, ever drink and drive.”
Deputy Chief Fire Officer Louis Jones said: “Our firefighters, as well as Police and Ambulance officers all witness first hand the carnage on our roads and the lives that are completely destroyed as a consequence of speed, inattention and drink driving. We all have a part to play to help make our roads safer this winter and our appeal to the public is to cut it out – before we cut you out.”
