'Tell police if you know a drink-driver'

THE seasonal campaign against drink driving has been launched by Essex Casualty Reduction Board - which wants people to tip-off police about any offenders.

Nationally, more than 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in drink-drive collisions. Drinking and driving occurs across a wide range of age groups but especially - in both casualties and positive breath tests - among young men aged 17 to 29.

During the summer campaign in Essex, more than 13,000 people were stopped and breath-tested. A total of 335 people had positive tests and 38.8% of these had previous criminal convictions.

Essex county councillor, Rodney Bass, cabinet member for highways and transportation and board chairman, said: “We are committed to reducing road casualties and at this time of year drink-driving is a major cause of crashes.

“Alcohol slows down reaction time, when coupled with winter weather and road conditions this is a lethal combination.

“Essex Police are taking a particularly heavy stance on detecting drink drivers during the forthcoming festive period but emphasise that officers continue to enforce this type of activity throughout the entire year.”

Mr Bass said individuals who decided to drink and drive not only put themselves at risk but everyone else and their actions could dramatically affect many lives.

The Essex Casualty Reduction Board launched the Christmas drink-drive campaign for Essex yesterday at Writtle College.

Representatives from Essex County Council's road safety team, Essex Police, Essex Fire and Rescue Service and the East of England Ambulance Service were on hand with information and advice.

The launch event included a road traffic accident scenario with a demonstration of how injured passengers are cut out of a crashed vehicle, remote control cars testing people's responses and reactions and “beer goggles” to simulate what it is like when you are over the limit.