Drink drive threat noticed

Drinkers who decide to risk driving home from the pub this Christmas while over the limit could receive a ‘fixed penalty notice’ before they even get behind the wheel.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Dec 2014, 10:00 BST
instant message: Police in Blackpool are getting across their Christmas Dont Drink and Drive message across by putting a letter about the campaign inside old-style fixed penalty yellow envelopes and attaching them to vehicles in pub car parks. Pictured are the Swift Hound General Manager Neil Sharrock and PC Adam Dawson from West Roads Policing Departmentinstant message: Police in Blackpool are getting across their Christmas Dont Drink and Drive message across by putting a letter about the campaign inside old-style fixed penalty yellow envelopes and attaching them to vehicles in pub car parks. Pictured are the Swift Hound General Manager Neil Sharrock and PC Adam Dawson from West Roads Policing Department
instant message: Police in Blackpool are getting across their Christmas Dont Drink and Drive message across by putting a letter about the campaign inside old-style fixed penalty yellow envelopes and attaching them to vehicles in pub car parks. Pictured are the Swift Hound General Manager Neil Sharrock and PC Adam Dawson from West Roads Policing Department

Police are placing posters warning of the danger of drink driving on the windscreens of cars in pub car parks across Blackpool and the Fylde coast - and they are being left inside the same plastic wallets used to issue fixed penalty fines.

They hope the shock warning will deter revellers from breaking the law and potentially putting lives at risk. Since December 1, seven people in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre have been arrested on suspicion of drink driving or for refusing to do a breath test.

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Insp Rob Gomery, of the road policing unit, said: “We hope this will make people think twice before drink driving, and if it does it could save lives.

“It should make people pause for thought if they have had a drink and think that maybe they should call a taxi or ring a friend. It plants that seed in someone’s mind.

“This is something our chief inspector tried at some rural pubs in Fylde a couple of years ago and the message seemed to get around.

“Our licensing team is helping us to identify ‘vulnerable’ pubs which we will target

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“I do think some individuals do take a risk at the moment, and that includes people with alcohol issues.”

The notice says: “I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this notice and taking on board the drink drive message.

“Drinking and driving can have disastrous consequences and I would ask you to remind your friends and families of this. Please enjoy the festive season.”

Insp Gomery added that officers were encouraging pub licensees to challenge customers they believed might be about to drink and drive.

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As part of the seasonal drink drive campaign, police are also setting up check-points to catch drink drivers, some in places where they are not usually stationed.

Neil Sharrock, general manager at the Swift Hound on Rigby Road, said: “We fully support this campaign.

“We don’t agree with drink driving at any time of year, let alone at Christmas.”