Supt Mark McEwan says resources will be deployed to catch drink drivers this Christmas
DERRY’S police commander says those who drink and drive stand a strong chance of getting caught this Christmas.
The PSNI last week launched its 2015/16 winter crackdown campaign entitled ‘There is no safe limit, so never drink and drive’.
Supt Mark McEwan says police in the Derry City & Strabane District carried out 19 evidential alcohol breath tests during last year’s campaign.
And he promises his officers will be proactive again this Christmas and New Year.
“We have been promoting our winter drink-driving campaigns for many years,” says Supt McEwan.
“Long gone are the days that people could protest that they were not aware of the campaigns.
“The dangers and the consequences of drinking and driving are well known. It could cost someone their life; a conviction will certainly change the life of a driver, and their families.
“Every year we see drivers foolishly taking the risk of killing or injuring themselves, their family, friends or other innocent road users by deciding to drive after drinking.
“It is a risk that is not worth taking.
“We will have the policing resources to tackle the issue. We are determined to detect these drink drivers before they cause carnage on our roads.
“We will carry out as many road side and evidential breath tests as necessary.
“To date this year more than 60 people have lost their lives in crashes on our roads and many more have been seriously injured.
“Four of those fatalities have occurred on Derry City & Strabane District roads.
“Drinking and driving is not just something that concerns police. We know that it concerns people in our communities.
“Week in and week out, throughout the year, we get telephone calls about suspected drunken drivers. We have made detections based on those calls.
“There is a very special message. If you are going out to have a drink this Christmas make plans in advance so that you do not have to drive home.
“Just because we say it every year, repetition does not diminish the message: ‘drinking and driving wrecks lives.
“Do not let it wreck your life, or the life of anyone else,” added Supt McEwan.