Suffolk Constabulary call on public to prevent, persuade and report drink drivers this Christmas

This year Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies are combining with a number of other forces across the country to speak with one voice, promoting the message: ‘Drink Driving – Together We Can Stop It.’

The campaign launches today (Monday 5 December) and will seek to focus peoples’ minds that stopping drink-driving is a shared responsibility – for example, if you have friends or relatives that you know will take risks and drive under the influence, then you should do all you can to persuade them not to get behind the wheel. If you can’t stop them, then you should call the police.

Would you report a drink driver this Christmas?

That’s the question being posed by Chief Constable Jo Shiner, the country’s most senior police officer for road safety, as part of a national crackdown on drink driving.

The major new campaign urges the public to ‘help prevent, persuade and call the police’ on drink drivers this winter.

Latest survey figures show:

• 81% of Brits say drink drivers should be reported to the police… but less than half would actually do it in practice
• 36% of men and 46% of women say they’d take a drink driver’s car keys off them.
• Only 2% say they wouldn’t try to stop a friend from drink driving

The new national campaign, called ‘Drink Driving – Together We Can Stop It’, appeals to the public’s sense of shared responsibility to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.

It runs alongside a national police operation called Op Limit, where all police forces in England and Wales are increasing their presence on the roads to coincide with the football world cup and lead up to Christmas to target and catch drink and drug drivers.

In 2020 (latest published figures) an estimated 6,480 people were killed or injured in the UK when one of the drivers involved was over the drink-drive limit.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner, who is the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Roads Policing, is sharing a message for all drivers and their friends. She said: “Drink driving destroys lives, but tragically every day reckless drivers get behind the wheel and put themselves and others at risk.

“People who drink drive need to be stopped. Our campaign aims to save lives by deterring people from drink and drug-driving, and to deal robustly with offenders. That’s why we are calling on the public and friends of drink drivers to prevent, persuade and – as a last resort – report drink driving to police this Christmas.”

Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies are asking friends to plan ahead for their night out over the festive period. Who is your designated driver?  Can you pre-book a taxi? Can you walk to the venue?

There’s also a role for persuasion – can you step in to help someone who’s about to drink drive to get home safely? If persuasion doesn’t work, you can report a drink driver to us so we can stop them, arrest them and get them off the road.

Roads Minister Richard Holden said: “Driving under the influence puts others at risk, resulting in thousands of serious injuries and deaths on our roads each year, and these tragedies must be stamped out.

“We are improving road safety through our THINK! Campaign and working closely with enforcement to crackdown on drink and drug driving, which sadly happens too often during the festive season.”

CC Shiner added: “Drink drivers should be aware of the consequences.”

“You could face a minimum 12-month driving ban, an unlimited fine and even a prison sentence. There’s also the personal impact of having a criminal record and possibly losing your job. Most importantly you could kill or seriously injury yourself or someone else.

“I know from personal experience the heartbreak of losing a loved one on the road, I lost my father when I was a teenager. Hopefully this year, with the public and police working together, it will mean fewer families facing this Christmas without their loved ones.”

That’s why Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies are calling on the public and friends of drink drivers to prevent, persuade and – as a last resort – report drink driving to police this Christmas.

Chief Inspector Jonathan Chapman of the joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing said: “Our officers work tirelessly throughout the year to highlight the dangers and potential consequences of drink driving, yet it remains a persistent issue, especially at this time of year.

“This year’s campaign highlights the collective responsibility we all have for preventing incidents of drink driving. Although the responsibility ultimately lies with the offender, there are steps that you can take when out drinking with friends and family which could ultimately save a life.

“If you have been out drinking with someone and know they are planning to drive home whilst clearly over the limit, you have the opportunity to prevent them from getting behind the wheel.”

In case of an emergency, or if you believe a crime is in progress, always dial 999.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Don’t forget to follow the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Roads & Armed Policing Team on Twitter @NSRAPT for updates throughout the campaign.