New campaign highlights lasting damage of Drink Driving
The lasting impact of drink driving is highlighted in a new THINK! campaign launched today by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.
The £1.6m summer campaign with new radio adverts emphasises that a drink drive conviction stays on your licence for 11 years - affecting your job prospects and serving as a constant reminder of the 12-month driving ban you received for driving while over the limit.
Jim Fitzpatrick said:
"Drink drivers put themselves and others in serious danger but getting behind the wheel after drinking can have a devastating impact on your life even if you avoid a crash. You’ll get a minimum 12-month driving ban and a large fine - and the record will stay on your licence for 11 years.
"As the weather gets warmer we all want to be out enjoying ourselves and might end up drinking when we hadn’t planned to, but that doesn’t mean we have to drive home. If you’ve had a drink use public transport or take a taxi - otherwise that quick pint might end up lasting 11 long years."
According to Suffolk’s road safety team, over the past three years
* more than 17 per cent of all recorded deaths on Suffolk’s roads were caused as a result of driver or pedestrian impediment by drink and / or drugs
* in 2005 and 2006 drivers under 30 were more likely than older drivers to be involved in an accident while under the influence of alcohol
* in 2007, total numbers of accidents while under the influence reduced by 53 per cent, but male drivers still accounted for the large majority of individuals involved who supplied positive breath tests.
The new THINK! adverts highlight just how long a drink drive conviction stays on your licence by pointing out what else you will do in the 11 years. For example:
- Your heart will beat 400,000,000 times
- You’ll breathe enough air to fill 20 hot air balloons
- You’ll eat enough potatoes to fill 6 phone boxes
- You’ll drink 36 bathtubs full of water
- You’ll climb enough stairs to ascend Mt Everest twice
- You’ll sweat enough to fill 1,612 fish tanks.
Department for Transport