Suffolk Police ask drink and drug drivers: 'is your licence worth it?'
Suffolk Police has launched its annual Christmas campaign highlighting the risks of drink and drug driving
Suffolk Police has launched its annual Christmas campaign highlighting the risks of drink and drug driving - urging the public to consider 'is your licence worth it?'.
The campaign will run throughout the festive period until the 1 January 2025, with officers pledging to breathalyse every driver they stop.
Anyone caught driving under the influence could face six months imprisonment, be fined an unlimited amount and be banned from driving for at least a year.
"The message is simple"
Chief Inspector Vicky McParland said: “The message is simple – do not drive under the influence.
“It is important to note that alcohol and drugs can stay in your system for longer than you may realise. You could still be under the effects of drugs for days after you have consumed them.
“Losing your licence has a huge impact on your life. Your car insurance costs will rise dramatically and if you have to drive for work, you could lose your job. It may even affect your ability to travel to other countries.”
"Drink and drug driving kills"
Tim Passmore, Police & Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said: “Drink and drug driving kills and there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to drive if they are impaired.
“I’d like to think the message is getting through but sadly there are still drivers prepared to risk their own lives and the lives of others.
“This year the drive-drive campaign highlights the impact that losing your licence will have on life going forward.
"I’d like to encourage everyone to stop and think for a minute what the consequences of losing your driving licence would have on everyday life. How will the children get to school, how will you get to work, do your shopping or visit friends and family?
"I’m sure if we all think about how dramatically life would change, we’d think twice before having that drink before driving.”
"It's just not worth it"
Chief Fire Officer Jon Lacey of Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service said: “Don’t drink or take drugs and drive - it’s just not worth it. Not only do you put yourself in danger, you also put the lives of other people at risk.
“If you are going to go out drinking, particularly over the festive period, then please, just remove all temptation to drive - book a taxi, catch the bus or train, or arrange a lift from someone who is sober.
“Firefighters join to help people stay safe, we don’t want to be dealing with the consequences of a needless tragedy caused by someone drinking or taking drugs and then driving.”
"There is still a misconception that driving under the influence of drugs is acceptable"
The force has also secured additional funding from National Highways to purchase drug wipes which will be used throughout the campaign to expand their testing capability and increase their chances of detecting drug drivers on our roads.
Lawrence Seager, Regional Safety Programme Manager from National Highways said: “The statistics make it clear: driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs drastically increases the risk of causing a collision.
"However, research shows that there is still a misconception that driving under the influence of drugs is acceptable. I hope the messages within this campaign help road users to understand that is not the case."