Staffs Police in festive drink-drive crackdown

MOTORISTS are being urged to avoid drinking anything alcoholic if they plan to drive this Christmas.

That’s the message from Staffordshire Police in its #drinkordrive campaign, which runs to New Year’s Day.

Alcohol makes your reactions much slower and makes processing information more difficult, so when driving this can impact on decision making and reactions times, putting you, your passengers and other road users at risk.

The force says: “You may think that one or two drinks doesn’t matter but even a small amount of alcohol can affect your ability to drive safely.

“If you’re planning a night out, remember to book your taxi, organise your lift or look up bus and train time. If you’ve had a big night out you may still be over the limit the next day, so you’re best to make alternative travel arrangements.”

The campaign supports Operation Lightning, which aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on the roads of Staffordshire and to disrupt and deter criminals from using the road network.

The force says it will be working with partners including Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership over the festive period to encourage drivers to avoid drinking anything alcoholic.

The force is urging anyone with information about people who are drink- or drug-driving to contact it with as much information as possible so they can be investigated. You can report them online, by direct messaging on Facebook or Twitter, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If there is an immediate risk to the public, says the force, always call 999.