The message from Isle of Wight police in their winter drink and drug-drive campaign is: “Drink, drugs and driving are a lethal cocktail.”  The festive campaign began earlier this month and runs until Sunday, January 31st, 2010.
 

Drinks menus, beer mats and posters featuring the cocktail image are being sent out to bars, pubs and clubs across the force area.

Sergeant John Dainton from the Roads Policing unit said:

“If you’re out enjoying the party season this year, make sure you plan ahead and organise a safe journey home.
 
“Driving under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs puts you and other road users in danger.
 
“Alcohol, for example, makes it difficult to judge distances, while cannabis can slow your reaction times and cocaine makes you more likely to take risks.
 
“Combine any of these with driving and the results can be lethal.
 
“The effects of alcohol and many drugs can last for hours, so you may still be unsafe to drive the next day.
 
“The best advice is not to drink at all if you’re driving, or book a taxi beforehand.
 
“This year, you can now also text us a message to 80999 if you think someone’s driving when they shouldn’t be.
 
“By texting, you can still report the details to us when it’s not so easy to do so over the phone, if you’re at the pub for example.”

Police will be patrolling the roads as they do throughout the year.