Welcome to Road Safety Wales
Police forces throughout Wales will be stepping up the pressure this summer in a concerted effort to deter people from driving motor vehicles whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The campaign will start on June 4th 2007 and the likelihood of drivers being stopped by the police during this time will increase.
It is of real concern that despite significant improvements over recent years together with advertising campaigns and education programmes, people are still being killed or seriously injured as a direct result of drink driving. Indeed there is evidence to suggest that the problem of young men willing to risk all by driving while drunk is re emerging. Any amount of alcohol or drugs in the body can affect a person’s driving ability and judgment. Coupled with youthful exaggeration of driving ability it makes for a fatal combination.
“It is a major concern that in the 2006 All Wales campaign, 416 people were found to be over the prescribed limit. Almost half of these were young drivers aged between 17 and 25 yrs.,” said Chief Superintendent Geraint Anwyl, Head of the Operational Support Division, North Wales Police, who are heading this year’s campaign.
He added: “While we will be looking carefully at young drivers, this operation will look at drink drivers across the board. 500 people lose their lives in the UK every year as a result of drunken driving. The impact on families is lifelong and harrowing.
89% of the public named drink driving as one of their top three concerns (THINK! Annual Survey 2006).
In light of such public support the campaign will be vigorous in an effort to make our roads safer for all
Anyone with information regarding individuals who are believed to drive while over the legal limit can contact Crimestoppers anonymously and confidentially with any information on 0800 555 111.
The Summer 2007 drink driving campaign will be based on the theme of “Who’s taking you home – a hearse, a police car, an ambulance or a taxi?”
The month long campaign will be launched at Coleg Menai, Llangefni on Monday 4 June at 11am, when representatives from all the Welsh forces will be joined by the Chief Executive of Anglesey County Council, members of the Road Safety partnership and students from Coleg Menai.
