- Gloucestershire Summer Drink and Drug Drive Campaign 2018
- The campaign “Face the penalty” will focus on detecting drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- It is a collaborative campaign between Gloucestershire Constabulary, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GF&RS), Gloucestershire County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC)
- PCC Martin Surl said, “A great deal of work has gone into making drinking and driving socially unacceptable. Road users need to understand driving under the influence of drugs is equally intolerable”
The latest initiative to deter people from driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is underway. Launched at the Gloucestershire Motor Show at Highnam Court, Gloucester, at the weekend, it will continue throughout the summer months.
The campaign “Face the Penalty” is focusing on drivers whose judgement is impaired while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and warns them of the serious consequences they face if caught.
It also emphasises “Safe and social driving” which is a priority of Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl’s Police and Crime Plan.
Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl said, “This is not about spoiling people’s fun. We want everyone to enjoy themselves when they’re out and be safe at the same time. People who get behind a wheel under the influence are not only putting themselves at risk but others too.
“A great deal of work has gone into making drinking and driving socially unacceptable. Road users need to understand driving under the influence of drugs is equally unsafe and intolerable.
“As a former police officer and now as commissioner, I have met many people who have suffered immeasurably because someone thought the message did not apply to them. Some were innocent victims, others who took a chance and took a life found out too late it was not worth the risk”.
‘Face the penalty’ is a collaborative campaign between Gloucestershire Constabulary, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Gloucestershire County Council.
Councillor Nigel Moor, cabinet member for fire, planning and infrastructure at Gloucestershire County Council said, “Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has been called to many distressing incidents over the years where drivers have gambled and wrecked their lives, and the lives of others – then they’ve had to “Face the Penalty”.
“Our fire fighters continue to visit schools and colleges across the county with the “Wrecked” initiative to get the message across to our young people. Even if they haven’t started driving yet they can still influence their friends and family who do. They’ll also carry the message forward through their life.”
Official figures show that young men are most likely to drink and drive and that events around the World Cup, which begins on June 14th could provide extra temptation. There will be an increased police presence to prevent this.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service will also be re-starting “WRECKED” presentations in schools which aims to educate school pupils and college students about the consequences of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.
Each “WRECKED” session is delivered by firefighters and is available free to all schools and colleges with students aged 16 or over. Contact fire@glosfire.gov.uk for more information
Besides law enforcement, the key messages of the sessions include the physical and emotional consequences of being involved in a crash after drinking or taking drugs and the social and long term impact that drink drive convictions can have.
