Drink Drive - A Deadly Mix
December 2022 sees the start of a month-long drink drive campaign aiming to reduce Road Traffic Accidents that are a result of drink driving, raise awareness about the impacts and dangers of driving under the influence and to change people's mindsets reminding people not to drink and drive. The overall aim to encourage everyone to respect the laws in place surrounding drink driving in order to keep everyone safe this festive period.
The campaign is supported by Clair Osborne who tragically lost her husband in a collision caused by a drink-driver and shows Clair urging people not to be the person responsible for destroying a family.
I was on the phone to my daughter; we were on FaceTime and there was a knock at the door and it was police officers at the door telling me that Mark had been killed on his motorbike. I wouldn't believe them because I said ‘well, it can't be him’ ‘You must have got it wrong’ ‘I was only on the phone an hour ago’ but they had his driving licence, and they were absolutely certain it was him and that was it our whole world just stopped.
Mark was a very kind, very caring, very loving person If you ask anybody to describe Mark, he was a lovely bloke who just wanted to make everybody laugh. He was a fantastic dad, I think that's been the biggest impact that this has caused on my two children, they worshipped him, and he absolutely would do anything for them. When I hear the words drink driver, I feel angry, I feel upset, and you can't believe why would somebody be so selfish?
You know the impact, it's not like it's not advertised all the time. People are fully aware now of the consequences and you think, is it really worth it? Do you have to be that selfish just to, even if it's just one drink, that’s one too many. Just zero tolerance, if you are driving you do not have a drink, why be that selfish? Is it really worth it?
You look at the impact, the devastation, I look and have to see what it's done to my children every day because she decided to drink and drink and drink and then get in a car. So, if you've got your work do’s planned, you've got Christmas parties planned, that's the key word...they are planned, plan your taxi, plan your lift, don't be the person that just has the one, gets in the car and that's it.
You're the one responsible for destroying a whole family, stopping their festivities for Christmas being a sad time, New Year - you don't want to celebrate, you don't want to see the New Year in because you're not with your loved ones.
Don't be the person that's responsible for that.
Countywide campaign
As a Nottinghamshire county-wide campaign members of our road traffic team will take part in a widespread crackdown to target those who choose to drink or take drugs and drive in a bid to make our communities and roads safer.
Roadshows
Officers and volunteer offices will hold a series of roadshow events to engage with the public and highlight the dangers of getting behind the wheel when over the limit for alcohol.
They will be held at Trinity Square in Nottingham City Centre between 6pm- 8pm on:
- 9 December
- 10 December
- 17 December
- 23 December
During the events, members of the public will be invited to don “beer goggles” that simulate the effects of drunkenness, to show the effect on reaction speeds and the potentially disastrous consequences.
Inspector John Lees, of Nottinghamshire Police, encouraged people to stop by at the roadshows to learn more about why drinking and driving is such a deadly mix.
He said: “Driving after drinking can have devastating consequences and can easily result in a loss of life. All too often we attend road traffic incidents which have life changing impacts on families.
“Please think about your drinking behaviours, particularly over the festive period. Please keep yourself, your family, and others safe.
“Please make it your rule: If you have had a drink, don’t drive.”
The Law
It is illegal to drive under the influence of drink and drugs.
The legal alcohol limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for driving is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. It's impossible to say exactly how many drinks this equal – it’s different for each person – don’t take the risk of mixing the two.
More information about alcohol and drug driving can be found on our website.
How Can I Report?
Report a suspected drink driver on 999, or 101 or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111