The festive season is upon us and police on the Isle of Wight are sending out a clear message to drivers getting behind the wheel.  You may think you are safe to drive after having a couple of drinks or taking drugs, but how can you be sure?

On Saturday December 15th in St James Square, Newport, Shanklin Roads Policing Unit (RPU) will be taking part in multi-agency drink drive roadshow from 5pm onwards.  The roadshow has been organised by Isle of Wight County Council and any revellers in the vicinity will be able to receive Safer Christmas text messages on their mobile phones courtesy of Hampshire Constabulary.

Officers will be at various venues throughout December promoting anti drink and drug drive messages at public events.

Inspector Darren Miller of the force’s Roads Policing Unit, said:

“Christmas and New Year is a time for parties and socialising, but there is a serious side.“Don’t drink or take drugs and drive. You could lose your licence, your livelihood and ruin your life.“Be sensible, be safe, and arrange a lift home, or appoint a designated driver.”

The force’s RPU and the Impaired Driver Unit (IDU) will be taking part in designated drink and drug drive operations assisted by local officers from across the force area.
  
The police drink and drug drive campaign coincides with the national Think! Road Safety drink drive initiative which aims to educate all drivers, particularly men aged 17-29, about the risks.
 
Radio adverts will also be aired on Wave 105 FM throughout the Christmas period, warning drivers about the dangers of drink driving.

The solution is simple. If you’re going out to a party this December or New Year then arrange a lift home, or appoint a designated driver who you trust.

If you are driving then stick to the soft drinks, stay away from alcohol, and don’t take a chance. Hampshire Constabulary began its enforcement campaign on Friday November, 30 with additional patrols taking place across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight throughout December and into the New Year.
 
Research shows that young men are consistently over-represented in drink drive casualty figures and they are more likely to admit to driving when over the legal limit or when unsure if they’re over the legal limit.

During last year’s Christmas drink drive campaign, 5,916 drivers were breathalysed across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight between December 1, 2006 and January 1, 2007.374 of those people were arrested after providing positive breath tests or refusing to be breath tested.

During last year’s campaign 88 people were also asked to undergo Field Impairment Tests (FIT) after being stopped on suspicion of drug driving. 16 people failed the FIT.

The work of the Impaired Driver Unit (IDU) is continuing to secure convictions against drug drivers.

This year the force will be making use of Bluetooth technology to send anti drink and drug drive messages to revellers on the Isle of Wight. During December, Shanklin RPU will be at two multi-agency drink drive roadshows in Newport town centre.

The roadshows in St James Square have been organised by Isle of Wight County Council and any revellers in the vicinity will be able to receive Safer Christmas text messages on their mobile phones courtesy of Hampshire Constabulary.

Roads Policing Unit officers will also be at various other locations across the two counties throughout December promoting anti drink and drug drive messages.

Isle of Wight Public Information @Island Pulse.