“Just one drink can kill, so never, ever drink and drive” is the key message from the PSNI at launch of the 2014/15 winter drink drive operation.
During last year’s winter drink drive operation, 258 people were detected.
Stating the figure was “particularly disappointing,” Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd some of those detected were so drunk they could barely stand up.
He added: “It just beggars belief that some people still insist on attempting to drive after drinking.”
In addition to running targeted operations to catch drink drivers throughout the day and night, in the weeks leading up to Christmas and into the New Year, police will again coordinate road safety operations across the border counties with An Garda Síochána Traffic Corp.”
ACC Todd added: “If you find yourself asking the question, ‘I wonder if I’m ok to drive?’ or if you find yourself trying to calculate if you are under the drink drive limit, whether that’s after one drink, or the morning after a night out, just don’t take the risk. The consequences could be catastrophic.
“People don’t accidentally have a beer or glass of wine, they make a conscious decision. It only takes one drink to impair your decision making ability. The only right decision is to leave the car or motorbike at home if you’re drinking.”
ACC Todd said any driver or motorcyclist stopped by police, whether for speeding, using a mobile phone or committing any moving traffic offence, could expect to be breathalysed.
He added: “So too can anyone involved in a collision or who we suspect may have consumed alcohol or taken drugs.
“I want all motorists to think about the consequences to yourself and your family of being involved in a serious collision. How would you feel if your actions resulted in you or one of your family being paralysed? How would you feel if some innocent person was killed?
“I do not want officers knocking on doors at any time of the year, but especially over Christmas and the New Year, to tell families that a loved one has been killed on the roads.”
ACC Todd added: “If everyone slowed down, did not drive after drinking or taking drugs, wore a seatbelt and drove with greater care and attention then together we can reduce this preventable carnage on our roads.”
