Summer Drink and Drug Campaign "How much is a life worth?"

Have you or someone close to you been affected by a drink drive incident? Have you driven behind a vehicle that is clearly out of control in the hands of an intoxicated driver?

Well, it is a modern day disgrace and I was please to read that the country are running a Summer Drink and Drug Campaign to help tackle this problem.

Hampshire Police are asking people "whats the cost of a life" in the context of the cost of a pint of beer or a bottle of wine.

From 1st June The Summer Drink Campaign kicked off with patrols out doing random tests for drugs and alcohol to enforce to law and educate drivers.

This is part of the national association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) campaing.

Police are urging people to leave vehicles at home or stick to soft drinks when socialising with friends and family this summer. The statistics are not good. Police quote that 1 in 10 people behind the wheel of a vehicle fail a breath or drug test.

In the last two years more than 5,000 drivers were have been arrested. When most of us use our vehicles to get to work, this is a risk that has huge consequences for all involved with the worse case scenario of a jail sentance and the life sentance of knowing you have taken someones life or permanently injured someone.

Every driver that is involved in a collision during the campaign will be breath tested.

Statistics in Dorset show that drivers under 30 years of age are the group more likely to drink behind the wheel so the police are appearling to this group particularly.

The consequences of drink driving are a minimum of 12 month driving ban, criminal record, jail sentance and a fine of up to £5000.

The figures in Dorset are not encouraging as already 40 drivers are arrested with the majority of those being men. Last year 36 people had been arrested at the same point in the campaign so drivers are still not listening to the advice being given.

Police urge family and friends to ring 999 if they are worried about someone they know drink driving. If they won't take the responsibility then we should maybe do it for them.

photo from JD Mack's flickr photo stream