Avoid Drink Driving at Christmas

In order to tackle drink driving this Christmas, the government has launched its THINK! Campaign, which is specifically targeted towards young males, who account for a large part of the drink driving statistics.

According to recent research, around two thirds of the drink drivers that are killed on our roads each year are men. In order to reach those who are most at risk, the THINK! Campaign will reach out to drivers through social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Spotify.

The campaign centres around the ‘fear of missing out’, and encourages its target audience to consider that there is more to life than having another drink on a night out, and that they have plenty to live for the following day.

According to research from the Department of Transport, around 20% of young men have had two or more drinks before driving, and a further 11% of young men say they have thought about doing it. Despite these relaxed attitudes towards having a second drink, research suggests that having a second drink actually doubles a drivers risk of being involved in a fatality.

Drink driving – did you know?

If you’re found to be in charge of a vehicle while over the legal limit, you could end up with one or more of the following:

a) A 3 month sentence
b) A fine of up to £2,500
c) A potential driving ban

If you’re found driving or attempting to drive while over the legal limit, you may get one or more of the following:

a) A six month sentence
b) A fine with no maximum amount
c) A driving ban of at least a year, and up to three years

For those who cause death by careless driving, there are even more serious consequences.

To read more about the government drink driving campaign, visit: http://think.direct.gov.uk/drink-driving.html

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