Police warn of crack down on drink driving

Police warn of crack down on drink driving

18 April 2018

LOCAL police have warned they will do all they can to catch people who drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

The warning comes after two vehicles allegedly driven by drunk drivers were involved in a head-on collision outside Castlewellan during the early hours of Sunday morning.

In a social media post, local police said what happened “beggars belief,” confirming that over a 24-hour period last weekend, four arrests were made on suspicion of drink driving in the Down area.

Police say they are concerned that despite the amount of press coverage the PSNI and its partner agencies have devoted to the serious consequences of drink driving, there are still people who get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

“We will endeavour to catch people driving whilst unfit through drink and drugs. Please think before you pick up the car keys whilst under the influence,” a social media post on the Down PSNI Facebook page added.

A number of local people who responded to the post described the behaviour of people who drink and drive as “disgusting,” with a number urging officers to adopt a more proactive approach to apprehend those responsible.

Some suggested a conviction for drink driving should come with a lifetime driving ban, while others said there needs to be a zero tolerance policy on the issue.

Rowallane councillor Harry Harvey, chairman of the district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership, urged people out socialising to take a taxi home and never get behind the wheel while under the influence.

“Drivers have no excuse for not being aware of the risks associated with drink driving or while under the influence of drugs,” he said.

“Drink driving is completely unacceptable and must not be tolerated. Those who do so should feel the full force of the law.

“Drink driving puts lives at risk and those who ignore the law by drinking and driving or driving whilst impaired by drugs should face tough sanctions.

“People who break the law in this way end up with a criminal record and could be responsible for taking someone else’s life.”

He added: “Drink driving destroys lives and people must not get behind the wheel while unfit. The message is clear and unequivocal.”