28/11/2002
Anti-drink drive campaign launched
Today marks the launch of the annual winter anti-drink driving campaign by the police and the Department of the Environment, and the message again this year is 'Never, ever, drink and drive'.
Figures released to highlight the scale of the problem, indicate that from the beginning of January until the end of September this year 18 people have died in collisions where drink played a part. More than 550 people have been injured, some 122 seriously.
Accident and Emergency consultant Sean McGovern, who is based at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, and who over the past year has been a key player in the PSNI’s award-winning Roadsafe Roadshow which is aimed at teenagers, said: “Christmas and the New Year is a time for home and family. Sadly, for too many families it can become a time of tragedy. Year after year, I and my colleagues, medical, nursing and paramedics, spend the festive season dealing with the aftermath of road traffic collisions in which people are killed or injured. Drink is the cause of too many of these cases. Please, spend Christmas with your family – not with me.”
Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland, the PSNI’s Head of Operations, said: “Police are determined to tackle the problem of drink-driving robustly. No matter what other pressures are placed on our resources – and there are many – catching drunk drivers and bringing them before the courts remains a priority. We want people to enjoy themselves. But, equally I don’t want police officers having to knock on someone’s door to tell them that a loved one has been injured or killed. The message is simple ‘Never, ever drink and drive.’
Environment Minister Angela Smith said: “Christmas and New Year is traditionally a time when many people like to enjoy a drink and I have no problem with that.
"Unfortunately, some are tempted to have a few drinks and then drive, often with disastrous consequences. During the last five years alcohol was the principal factor in more than a quarter of all road deaths.
"I find it staggering therefore to think how someone could even contemplate getting behind the wheel after having consumed alcohol. My message is straightforward, never, ever drink and drive.”
(GMcG)
Figures released to highlight the scale of the problem, indicate that from the beginning of January until the end of September this year 18 people have died in collisions where drink played a part. More than 550 people have been injured, some 122 seriously.
Accident and Emergency consultant Sean McGovern, who is based at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, and who over the past year has been a key player in the PSNI’s award-winning Roadsafe Roadshow which is aimed at teenagers, said: “Christmas and the New Year is a time for home and family. Sadly, for too many families it can become a time of tragedy. Year after year, I and my colleagues, medical, nursing and paramedics, spend the festive season dealing with the aftermath of road traffic collisions in which people are killed or injured. Drink is the cause of too many of these cases. Please, spend Christmas with your family – not with me.”
Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland, the PSNI’s Head of Operations, said: “Police are determined to tackle the problem of drink-driving robustly. No matter what other pressures are placed on our resources – and there are many – catching drunk drivers and bringing them before the courts remains a priority. We want people to enjoy themselves. But, equally I don’t want police officers having to knock on someone’s door to tell them that a loved one has been injured or killed. The message is simple ‘Never, ever drink and drive.’
Environment Minister Angela Smith said: “Christmas and New Year is traditionally a time when many people like to enjoy a drink and I have no problem with that.
"Unfortunately, some are tempted to have a few drinks and then drive, often with disastrous consequences. During the last five years alcohol was the principal factor in more than a quarter of all road deaths.
"I find it staggering therefore to think how someone could even contemplate getting behind the wheel after having consumed alcohol. My message is straightforward, never, ever drink and drive.”
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 June 2021
Rehabilitation Training To Be Offered For All Drink Driving Convictions
Drink driving legislation has been changed to offer all those convicted of drink drive offences the opportunity to undertake rehabilitation training.
Rehabilitation Training To Be Offered For All Drink Driving Convictions
Drink driving legislation has been changed to offer all those convicted of drink drive offences the opportunity to undertake rehabilitation training.
03 December 2013
PSNI Launches Winter Drink Drive Appeal
The PSNI is calling for road users to avoid drinking alcohol over the Christmas period, as it launches its annual winter drink driving appeal.
PSNI Launches Winter Drink Drive Appeal
The PSNI is calling for road users to avoid drinking alcohol over the Christmas period, as it launches its annual winter drink driving appeal.
25 June 2010
Call For Lower Drink-Drive Limit
Local doctors are calling for the Stormont Executive to consider lowering the drink drive limit to "save lives". Following this week's Daíl legislation reducing the legal blood-alcohol level from 80 to 50mg, Northern Ireland doctors said today that the law should be changed here too.
Call For Lower Drink-Drive Limit
Local doctors are calling for the Stormont Executive to consider lowering the drink drive limit to "save lives". Following this week's Daíl legislation reducing the legal blood-alcohol level from 80 to 50mg, Northern Ireland doctors said today that the law should be changed here too.
23 June 2005
‘Don’t drink and drive’ message reinforced by TV campaign
The PSNI and Department of Environment (DoE) today reinforced their don’t drink and drive message this summer. In a new TV campaign, which begins today and runs until the end of August, highlights the message that drink driving is a year round problem that puts road users at risk of death or serious injury.
‘Don’t drink and drive’ message reinforced by TV campaign
The PSNI and Department of Environment (DoE) today reinforced their don’t drink and drive message this summer. In a new TV campaign, which begins today and runs until the end of August, highlights the message that drink driving is a year round problem that puts road users at risk of death or serious injury.
04 February 2014
251 Arrested In Winter Drink Drive Campaign
251 motorists were arrested by police during the 2013/14 winter anti-drink drive campaign, according to figures released by the PSNI. The figures show a decrease from 273 during the 2012/13 operation, and include motorists who were unfit to drive, or who were unable or refused to give a sample.
251 Arrested In Winter Drink Drive Campaign
251 motorists were arrested by police during the 2013/14 winter anti-drink drive campaign, according to figures released by the PSNI. The figures show a decrease from 273 during the 2012/13 operation, and include motorists who were unfit to drive, or who were unable or refused to give a sample.