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Who’s Des - Police reminding party-goers to have a designated driver this weekend

Press Releases

Published: 08/12/2011


Police are reminding revellers getting into the festive spirit this weekend to nominate a designated driver.

The request comes as the second week of Hampshire Constabulary’s anti-drink and drug drive campaign, Op Holly, draws to a close.

This week’s theme was designated drivers and the force has been posting messages on its Facebook and Twitter sites, encouraging people to get organised before they head out for the night.

Roads Policing Unit PC, Mark Clarke, said: “Unfortunately, time and time again we hear the excuse that someone had to drive themselves home because they couldn’t afford a taxi or couldn’t get a lift.

“If you can afford to go out and drink, you can afford to keep aside some money for the bus or taxi fare home. You could even offer to buy one of your mate’s soft drinks all night, or foot the bill for entry into a club in exchange for them being the designated driver.

“If at the end of the night you can’t get home, it’s still better annoying your friends or family with a late night call for a lift, then risking driving home over the limit.

“Just don’t let that ‘one for the road’ ruin your Christmas.”

Tolerance to alcohol depends on weight, age, gender, stress and recent food consumption, meaning two people drinking the same amount can have very different reactions.

While there are devices on the market which claim to offer the same analysis as a police breathalyser, Hampshire Constabulary would recommend that the safest way to ensure you’re sober when you get behind the wheel is to not drink if you’re driving.

“We’re not trying to ruin anyone’s night but as roads policing officers we know all too well the consequences of drinking and driving,” said PC Clarke.

"Visiting parents and partners to tell them that their loved one had died in a car crash because they had been drink driving is something we simply do not want to do.  It rips people’s lives apart and is completely avoidable.”

In the first four days of the campaign, launched on December 1, 43 people were arrested – a 126 per cent increase on the same period last year.

“While the figures show that we’re catching people, it’s still alarming that in this day and age people are still foolish enough to drink and drive,” said PC Clarke.

“There is absolutely no excuse for it – none.”

Hampshire Constabulary is asking members of the public across the two counties to text 80999 to report anyone they suspect of drink driving or being drug impaired behind the wheel. 

The information will be received anonymously, and senders simply need to text the precise location where the driver was last seen, direction of travel if possible, and as many vehicle details as possible – most importantly the number plate.

The number is a text-only service, and will not take phone calls but anyone witnessing a drink drive offence in progress can call 999.

 


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