Is your licence worth it? Suffolk Police's Christmas Campaign

Suffolk’s emergency services and Roadsafe partners have joined together to launch this year’s Christmas campaign highlighting the risks of drink and drug driving.

We are all familiar with the devastating effects that driving under the influence can have. Every year we highlight those who are seriously injured or killed as the result of drink and drug drivers.

This year, they are focussing on what happens to the everyday drink driver. This person might have had two or three pints at the pub after work, on a Friday night. They might have spent Saturday night at a Christmas party and are driving on Sunday morning whilst still over the limit. They could be popping to the shops after having a glass of wine with their dinner.

They think they’re fine to drive, they’ve only had a few but their ability to assess the road and its risks is significantly reduced.

Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies are urging the public to consider #IsYourLicenceWorthIt?

The campaign will run from now until Wednesday 1st January 2025. Officers will be covering the entire county, breathalysing every driver they stop. If caught driving over the limit, you could face six months’ imprisonment, be fined an unlimited amount and be banned from driving for at least a year.

Chief Inspector Vicky McParland said: “The message is simple – do not drive under the influence.

“It is important to note that alcohol and drugs can stay in your system for longer than you may realise. You could still be under the effects of drugs for days after you have consumed them.

“Losing your licence has a huge impact on your life. Your car insurance costs will rise dramatically and if you have to drive for work, you could lose your job. It may even affect your ability to travel to other countries.”

Tim Passmore, Police & Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said: “Drink and drug driving kills and there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to drive if they are impaired.

“I’d like to think the message is getting through but sadly there are still drivers prepared to risk their own lives and the lives of others. 

“This year the drive-drive campaign highlights the impact that losing your licence will have on life going forward.  I’d like to encourage everyone to stop and think for a minute what the consequences of losing your driving licence would have on everyday life. How will the children get to school, how will you get to work, do your shopping or visit friends and family? I’m sure if we all think about how dramatically life would change, we’d think twice before having that drink before driving.”

Chief Fire Officer Jon Lacey of Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service said: “Don’t drink or take drugs and drive - it’s just not worth it. Not only do you put yourself in danger, you also put the lives of other people at risk.

“If you are going to go out drinking, particularly over the festive period, then please, just remove all temptation to drive - book a taxi, catch the bus or train, or arrange a lift from someone who is sober.

“Firefighters join to help people stay safe, we don’t want to be dealing with the consequences of a needless tragedy caused by someone drinking or taking drugs and then driving.”

Driving under the influence is a choice and there are always other options. Could you make your journey by public transport instead? The £2 bus fare cap is running until 31 December 2024. This is an affordable and sustainable way of travelling around the county.

Booking a taxi may seem like an expensive option but it is considerably cheaper than an unlimited fine, court costs and paying to get your licence back after you have been banned.

Ask friends and family for a lift and let them get you home safely.

Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies have secured additional funding from National Highways to purchase drug wipes to be used throughout the campaign. This will expand our testing capability and ultimately increase our chances of detecting drug drivers on our roads.

Lawrence Seager, Regional Safety Programme Manager from National Highways said: “The statistics make it clear: driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs drastically increases the risk of causing a collision.  However, research shows that there is still a misconception that driving under the influence of drugs is acceptable.  I hope the messages within this campaign help road users to understand that is not that case.”

We understand that you may be close to someone who regularly gets behind the wheel under the influence of drugs or alcohol and this can make it difficult to speak to police. You can report drink and drug driving anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online here.

In an emergency, always call 999.