Crackdown on drunk drivers

Jul 24 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

EVERY Midland motorist involved in a road smash or stopped for a driving offence will be breath tested as part of a bid to call time on drink-driving.

From next Monday the traditional month-long summer crackdown will be launched with spot-checks to take boozed up drivers from behind the wheel.

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

Officers urged people to help end the scourge by refusing lifts from pals they think have been drinking or taking drugs.

PC Steve Rogers, who is leading the campaign, said: ÒOur 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 a problem all year but with the warm weather and more relaxed atmosphere during the summer, the temptation is often greater to take a risk.

"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. There's no such thing as a safe limit. The answer is not to drink at all if you are driving."

The operation, which runs until September 2, will see officers on high visibility patrols and there will also be a number of static check points to carry out spot checks on drivers.

In previous campaigns, officers have breathalysed more than 3,000 drivers in a month. Those involved in road traffic collisions or who are suspected of having alcohol or drugs in their systems will be stopped.

The crackdown coincides with a new Government campaign aimed at 17 to 29 year old men. Instead of showing gory images of victims, the TV ads focus on how drink-driving can destroy people's social lives.