WILTSHIRE POLICE: You can save someone's life by reporting drink driving this Christmas
The force has launched its annual festive awareness campaign
Last updated 4th Dec 2020
Wiltshire Police are urging people to report suspected drink and drug driving this Christmas.
The national month of action is aiming to reduce the county's fatalities and road accidents over the festive period.
They say that the public reporting suspected offenders is vital in getting dangerous motorists off the road.
Increased operations will take place across Wiltshire, focusing on intelligence-led traffic stops, targeting flagged motorists.
Meanwhile, Roads Policing officers will be doing more patrols across the region.
Inspector Mark Freeman, head of roads policing unit, said:
"Of course all police officers are trained to spot the signs of a driver who may be intoxicated and will always take action if they have suspicions about someone’s manner of driving.
But, good quality local intelligence from members of the public allows us to target our resources on those who pose the greatest risk.
Sometimes people will report a one-off incident in progress, for example, if they have seen someone leave a pub drunk and get straight into their car to drive home.
But we also need information about those regular offenders, who perhaps always drink at the same establishment and drive the same route every Friday evening. If you have concerns about someone who you believe is drink or drug driving then please call us - you could be saving someone’s life this Christmas."
If you know someone regularly driving illegally under the influence, call police on 101 and give as much information as possible. This could include the driver’s details or description, their car registration and a time or day that they always do it.
MESSAGING HAD TO CHANGE
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the way people drink and socialise has changed and will be different over the festive period.
This means that Wiltshire Police had to change their campaign messaging.
Sergeant Neil Bott said:
"In previous years our annual Christmas campaign would have been heavily focused on people attending parties or social gatherings, reminding them to arrange lifts home or book taxis in advance.
However, this year we know there will be different challenges with regards to drink driving. We know that more people will be drinking at home, perhaps dialling into virtual parties or activities.
Therefore, we need to remind people that any consumption of alcohol, no matter what the social setting or circumstances, could be enough to put you over the legal limit and you need to be mindful of exactly how much you are drinking and whether you should be driving.
Also, you need to remember that alcohol stays in your system for a number of hours, so you may need to be cautious about driving the next morning as well."
ARRESTS MADE
The force has confirmed that numerous people have already been arrested across the county, for drink or drug drive offences.
A 36-year-old woman from Salisbury was found driving the wrong way down Rollestone Street, a one way road, shortly before 1:15am on Thursday 3 December.
After being stopped by officers, she failed to provide a breath specimen before assaulting one of them.
She was then arrested on suspicion of failing to provide a specimen of breath, assaulting an emergency worker, criminal damage, obstructing a police officer and driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance of a licence.
The woman was taken to Melksham Police Station for questioning.
Meanwhile, at around 2am that same day, officers in Tidworth stopped a vehicle.
A 37-year-old man from the town has now been charged with driving over the legal alcohol limit, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.
Julian Marchant, of Sidbury Circular Road, has been released on unconditional bail to appear in court in February.