Police summer drink drive campaign launches in West Midlands
2 Jun 2008

West Midlands Police are cracking down on drivers who drink and drive this summer.

From 1-30 June, officers will be working in partnership with local authorities and the Highways Agency to tackle the problem of drink driving across the force area.

Officers will be on high visibility patrols around the region and will also set up a number of static check points at various locations to carry out spot checks on drivers.

In previous campaigns, officers have breathalysed more than 3,000 drivers in a month. All of those involved in road traffic collisions who have committed moving traffic offences or who are suspected of having alcohol or drugs in their systems will be stopped and checked during the campaign.

Those arrested for drink driving may also find themselves drug tested as part of the Drug Interventions Programme run by West Midlands Police.

Police will be using intelligence to target hotspot areas for drink driving and setting up roadside checks across the force area.

Nationally, almost one in seven of all road deaths involve drivers who are over the legal limit.

Research shows that men in their 20s and 50s are most likely to offend.

PC Steve Rogers, who is leading the campaign, said: "Our message is quite simple - if you drink and drive and think you can get away with it, you're wrong, we will catch you out.

"Drink and drug driving is an issue all year but with the more relaxed atmosphere during the summertime, the temptation to offend becomes greater.

"We urge people not to put their friends, families or members of the public at risk by drink or drug driving.

"Passengers can also help by refusing to be driven by someone who has been drinking or taken drugs, and by appointing a designated driver who does not drink or take drugs.

"Remember that by drinking alcohol the night before, you could still be over the drink drive limit well into the following day. There is no such thing as a 'safe' limit and the answer is not to drink at all if you are driving."

During last year's summers drink drug drive campaign, more than 20,000 motorists were stopped, of whom 2,870 were breath tested, with 399 positive results.

The campaign is supported by advertising across the region which has been co-ordinated by West Midlands Police and funded by the Casualty Reduction Partnership.

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