Norfolk Police have launched their annual Drink and Drug Driving Campaign which will run until Friday 1 January, to help raise awareness of the dangers of drink and drug driving this Christmas.
Members of the public are being urged to consider the #IMPACT of driving under the influence of drink or drugs as Norfolk Police launch their Christmas campaign.
The month-long initiativecontinues until Friday 1 January, in conjunction with a UK-wide operation led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council. It will see officers carrying-out roadside checks throughout the day and night, including early morning checks, as well as intelligence-led enforcement activity.
During last year’s campaign, in Norfolk 613 breath tests were carried out with 95 drivers providing positive readings (74 men/21 women). Of the 100 drug tests conducted, 82 drivers failed (78 men/four women). In addition, 15 people failed to provide a specimen and 22 people were arrested for being unfit to drive through drink or drugs.
Norfolk Police said ,"Whilst we continue to detect and prosecute these offences throughout the year during 'business as usual', recent research published by Drinkaware shows that some people have significantly increased their alcohol consumption at home during the lockdown. Our message this year, is therefore to remind those celebrating at home, that no matter what the setting, drink driving will not be tolerated and those who get behind the wheel and put themselves and others at risk, will face the full force of the law."
The #IMPACT campaign is a joint initiative, launched by the PCC in 2016, which delivers hard-hitting road safety messages to young and future drivers in an attempt to deter them from putting their own lives and the lives of others at risk. Visiting colleges and sixth forms around Norfolk, #IMPACT gives students an insight into what it is like to be involved in a car crash and what is involved for our emergency services in trying to free someone from a vehicle.
As part of the Christmas Drink Drive Campaign, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service are staging three mock ‘crashed car’ scenes along roads near its fire stations in King’s Lynn, Thetford and Sprowston, in Norwich.
Members of the public are also being encouraged to provide information about potential offenders to help officers identify who they are, so they can take appropriate action and prevent such collisions occurring.
Anyone with information about suspected drink or drug driving should contact Norfolk Police on 101.
In case of an emergency, or if you believe a crime is in progress, always dial 999.
Alternatively, contact the charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.
To find out more about the campaign please visit: https://www.norfolk.police.uk/news/latest-news/norfolk-police-launch-ch…
