Last year we saw 143 drivers prosecuted for drink driving in Jersey, this simply isn’t good enough. 143 people decided to put themselves and our friends and loved ones at risk by getting behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol.
Statistics showed that in 2016, 72% of those prosecuted were men and so far, in 2017 82% that have been prosecuted this year are men.
On Wednesday 6th December 2017, the States of Jersey Police and Honorary Police launch their Christmas Anti - Drink Drive Campaign, targeting those drivers who still think it’s OK to have a ‘couple’ of drinks before driving.
Alcohol affects everybody’s ability to drive safely. It creates a feeling of overconfidence, makes judging distance and speed more difficult and slows your reactions so it takes longer to stop.
Both forces will be out in force this Christmas, conducting road checks all over the island, keeping your community safe. We are seeking to highlight the anti-social nature of drink-driving.
Acting Inspector Paul Smith, lead for the Drink Drive campaign, said: “Campaigns such as this have for many years highlighted the irresponsible nature of drinking and driving and it is frustrating and disappointing that drivers are still being dealt with for this offence.
“It’s never okay to drink and drive, it’s simply not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. With the Christmas period of goodwill upon us please consider the effect of your decisions on others and yourself. If you’re caught you face a heavy fine and driving ban, or even worse hurting yourself or others in a collision.”
Previously the public have supported our campaign and provided us with information on drivers who choose to drink and get behind the wheel. More than half of the prosecutions are down to the public’s help.
We cannot achieve this alone, we need your help, please call us on 612612 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information on those who put us all at risk by choosing to drink and drive. Drink driving is not acceptable in our society and we all play a part in stopping it.