Partygoers are being warned to think before they drive in the morning after enjoying a night out during the festive season.
Operation Tipple, a joint Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary campaign against drink and drug driving, began on December 1 and will run until New Year's Day. It aims to make our roads safer by detecting motorists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Last year the annual crackdown saw more than 5,156 drivers breathalysed by Thames Valley Police during December, and of those, 261 drivers provided positive results. Nationally, during the 2010 campaign, 169,838 drivers were tested, resulting in more than 6,613 arrests.
Inspector Colin Clark, who is leading Operation Tipple for Thames Valley Police, said: “We will target all drivers suspected of drink driving or being influenced by drugs. This will be carried out by holding dedicated road checks, testing all drivers involved in collisions, and testing anyone who has committed a traffic offence or is suspected of drug driving.
“Many people think they have to be involved in a collision or commit an offence to be stopped and breathalysed. However, police officers can stop any vehicle at any time, day or night. If they then suspect drink driving they can administer a breath test and if the result is positive the driver would be arrested.
“We will also act on information from the public, targeting those areas or drivers where there is a problem. More officers are now trained to test for drug use at the roadside, so we are well equipped to deal with all drivers that come our way. The high-profile road checks are taking place to raise awareness of drink and drug driving, making sure drivers and their passengers understand that we are dealing with this offence robustly.”
In Oxfordshire, a total of 1,768 motorists were breathalysed, and 64 returned positive tests, less than four per cent. All drivers who provide positive breath tests, refuse to provide or fail to provide, face losing their licence for at least 12 months. They could go to prison for six months or pay a fine of up to £5,000.
Superintendent Chris Brown, Head of Roads Policing in the Thames Valley and Hampshire, said: “We are asking the public to be safe rather than sorry. Collisions involving alcohol or drugs not only devastate the lives of victims and their families, they also ruin the lives of offenders, who could face a lengthy driving ban or imprisonment.
"As well as having to live with the lifelong guilt of having killed or injured someone through their reckless behaviour, offenders could also lose their job, home and their livelihood. If you are going out and know you will be drinking, organise alternative transport or a designated driver to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the festive period safely.”
