The annual Christmas Drink Drive crackdown in Wiltshire is being launched with a warning to motorists out over the festive period.

Every resource available will be used to catch people who choose to drive after drinking, as well as those that also choose to drive the next day while still under the influence.

Roadshows will be held in Salisbury, Trowbridge, Devizes and Chippenham during December to highlight the issue.

Drivers visiting the roadshows will be able to see the remains of a car actually involved in a fatal crash, and there will be a chance to speak to people who have been affected by fatal crashes, as well as representatives from Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service and Wiltshire Council.

Drink driving remains one of the essential themes in the Wiltshire Road Safety Partnership’s strategy to reduce serious injuries and deaths on the county’s roads. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair judgement and the ability to drive safely.

As a result, people who have a drink this Christmas are being encouraged to leave their cars at home.

Those who need to drive the following morning are also being encouraged not to drink. If you have been out drinking, you may still be affected by alcohol the next day; sleeping, eating, having a shower, drinking a cup of coffee or other ways of ‘sobering up’ will not help – it just takes time.

Nearly one in five people who are convicted of drink driving are caught the morning after and do not realise that they can still lose their licence if they are over the legal alcohol level.

The road safety partnership is working with partners in the emergency services to bring down the number of crashes on Wiltshire’s roads, and the roadshows this year is part of an effort to change people’s behaviour.

Every week around 11 people are killed by drink drivers. In addition, every year around 80 deaths are caused by drivers who are under the drink-drive limit but who have some alcohol in their blood.

Inspector Steve Cox Head of Roads Policing and the Serious Collision Investigation Team in Wiltshire said:

This time of year is one of increased celebration for many including work parties and especially time with family and friends.

Whilst officers carry out breath tests at all times of day and night throughout the year, not just at Christmas, we recognise that there is an increased temptation to have a drink and then drive.

No officer wants to have to knock on someone’s door and deliver the message that a loved one has died or been seriously injured at the hands of a drink or drug driver.

If you drink alcohol or take drugs before driving, we’ll catch up with you. We are determined to make our roads safer and this starts by removing those individuals who recklessly drink and drug drive on our roads.

 National drink drive campaign press release