East Antrim DUP MLA Alastair Ross has expressed his concern that the number of people already caught drink driving during the first two weeks of this year’s PSNI campaign is up by 15% on the same period last year. Commenting this morning from Larne in his East Antrim constituency Mr Ross said,
“The fact that 230 people have already been caught drink driving this year is concerning, and an indication that we cannot be complacent about getting the drink drive message out there. Whilst I applaud the PSNI’s efforts in catching these people, it is astounding that people still don’t seem to be listening to the fact that drink driving can cost lives.
Drinking even a small amount of alcohol significantly impairs an individual’s ability to drive, and dramatically increases the chances of a potentially fatal road traffic accident. In Northern Ireland this year we have already seen more people lose their lives on the roads than last year, and unless people take the drink drive message seriously then this trend will continue.
There would appear to be two categories of people who get caught out. Firstly are those who go out and chose to drink alcohol and then deliberately get behind the wheel of a car to drive themselves home, with no regard for their own life or the lives of others.
The second category would appear to be those who may be out drinking late at night, and although they get taxis or lifts home, are still over the legal limit when driving to work the next day. This is a particular issue at this time of year when so many office Christmas parties are taking place during the week.
Christmas is a time of year when people like to enjoy themselves, but they must do so in a responsible and safe way. If people are out at Christmas parties they should arrange their transport home so that they do not have to get behind the wheel, and should be aware that even the next morning they may still be over the legal limit.”
