Partnership supports Over the Limit campaign this festive season

Shropshire’s Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership is joining the Safer Roads Partnership in urging motorists across Shropshire to stay drink free if driving over the Christmas and New Year period.

The partnership is supporting Warwickshire and West Mercia Police ‘Over the limit’ campaign which was launched this weekend (Sunday 1 December 2013), to raise awareness of the issues around drink driving.

Over the past 3 years*, 50 people were either killed or seriously injured in Shropshire following collisions where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor. An additional 207 suffered slight injuries.

The Over the Limit campaign aims to educate road users of the risks they take when mixing any alcohol with driving, encouraging safer behaviour to ultimately reduce the number of people killed and injured on our roads every year. The campaign is asking motorists to consider if they could be ‘over the limit?’ before they get in their car to drive.

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for public protection, said:

“We want everyone in Shropshire to have a safe and enjoyable time over the festive period, but want to stress to those who consider driving after a drink, not to put themselves and the lives of others at risk.

“Alcohol and drugs both can affect driving in numerous ways including slower reaction times and erratic and aggressive behaviour. There is no fool proof way of calculating how much you can drink and remain under the limit, or knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely. Importantly, you do not know how long any alcohol may be in your body.

“We want people to think hard about the consequences that a collision could lead to, and urge people to really stop and think before they get into a car after drinking.”

Shropshire’s Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership are advising those going out over the festive season to make alternative arrangements such as:

• Arranging for one of your group to be the nominated driver who doesn’t drink any alcohol for the evening (take it in turns)
• Find out the bus times including the last bus home
• Book a taxi in advance to bring you home at the end of the night
• Spend the evening somewhere that you can walk home from without transport
• Never get in to a car with someone you suspect has been drinking.

Superintendent James Tozer, West Mercia’s Shropshire commander, added;

“Driving and drinking just don’t mix. This campaign is intended to highlight the dangers of alcohol for drivers. Sadly this time of year usually sees an increase in serious injury and death and many ruined lives. Together we are trying to prevent that. . Please heed the advice and just don’t do it.”

Professor Rod Thomson, Director for Public Health at Shropshire Council, said;

“Local Accident and Emergency Departments are under pressure at this time of the year treating seriously ill patients. Adding to that pressure by drinking ‘over the limit’ is inconsiderate to those patients and the health care staff who are caring for them. Enjoy the festive season and show some good will by not drinking and driving.”

The Over the Limit campaign will involve posters, beermats and other material targeted at local pubs and clubs throughout the county designed to make people think about the consequences of drink or drug driving.

For more information about the campaign visit www.over-the-limit.co.uk

To find out more about the Safer and Stronger Communities Partnership visit: Safer Shropshire Together

For other information on how to remain safe and well over the winter period, visit our Get Ready for Winter pages here.

Further information

*Individual county stats are as follows:

• Herefordshire 19 casualties either killed or seriously injured and 113 slight injuries
• Shropshire 50 casualties either killed or seriously injured and 207 slight injuries
• Warwickshire 82 casualties either killed or seriously injured and 318 slight injuries
• Worcestershire 33 casualties either killed or seriously injured and 243 slight injuries

If you drive at twice the legal alcohol limit you are at least 30 times more likely to cause a collision than a driver who hasn’t been drinking. Taking drugs will impair driving skills. Driving whilst under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous and can affect driving in numerous ways including slower reaction times and erratic and aggressive behaviour.

The legal alcohol limit for drivers in Great Britain is:

• 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100millilitres (ml) of breath or
• 80 milligrammes (mg) of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (80mg/100ml) or
• 107 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of urine

The current penalties for exceeding the legal alcohol limit for drivers are:

• A minimum 12 month disqualification (three years for a second offence within ten years)
• A fine of up to £5000
• Up to six months in prison

Each person’s tolerance to alcohol depends on a range of factors including:

• Weight
• Age
• Gender
• Metabolism
• Current stress levels
• Food intake
• Amount of alcohol in each drink.