Scottish Government Safer Road Safety. Partner Toolkit

Transcription

1 Scottish Government Safer Road Safety Drink Drive Partner Toolkit

2 Contents Introduction What is the drink drive campaign? Key campaign messages Template media release Additional content/web assets Social Media Q&A Useful links and contacts

3 Introduction What is the drink drive campaign? Welcome to the Scottish Government s Drink Drive campaign partner toolkit. Thank you for getting involved and helping us prepare Scotland for the change in the Drink Drive limit which comes into effect on Friday 5th December. This toolkit can be used as a guide to provide information about the national campaign. Scotland s drink drive limit is being lowered. The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, has introduced an order in Parliament which will mean that a reduced drink-drive limit will come into effect on Friday 5 December The new limit will bring Scotland in line with the rest of Europe, lowering the limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. One death as a result of drink driving is one death too many, so we owe it to the people of Scotland to consider what proportionate action we can take to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads. A lower limit should help reduce the number of deaths further. The best approach is to have no alcohol at all if you re intending to get behind the wheel - alcohol at any level impairs driving. 1

4 Key campaign messages Scotland now has a new lower drink drive limit Around 20,000 drivers are stopped by the police every month. That s one driver every two minutes Even if you re slightly over the limit, in the eyes of the law you are still a drunk driver and a criminal - there s no grey area Think about how you re going to get home, before you head out - and remember to consider any journeys the morning after Don t risk it. Don t drink and drive. Find out more by visiting 2

5 Template media release NEWS RELEASE [insert name of organisation] ENCOURAGES DRIVERS NOT TO RISK IT THIS CHRISTMAS Drivers reminded of new lower drink drive limit [Name of organisation] is supporting a nationwide campaign to remind drivers of the new lower drink drive limit in Scotland and share advice on how to stay safe this festive period. Scotland s drink drive limit has been lowered from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. One death as a result of drink driving is one death too many, so we owe it to the people of Scotland to consider what proportionate action we can take to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads. A lower limit should help reduce the numbers of deaths further. The advice when it comes to drinking and driving continues to be that the best approach is not to drink any alcohol at all before getting behind the wheel. [supporting quote from organisation] Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, said: With the approval of Parliament, the new drink drive limit will come into force on December 5, making our roads safer and saving lives. We are doing everything we can to make sure everyone is informed about the new lower level. A persistent minority of people are still getting behind the wheel after drinking - the best approach is to have nothing at all, alcohol at any level impairs driving. This new law will bring Scotland into line with most of Europe and hopefully reduce drink drive arrests and prosecutions, as we have already seen in the Republic of Ireland, where drivers adjusted their behaviour to take account of the lower limit. Find out more by visiting the Road Safety Scotland Facebook page, visiting or on Twitter. ENDS [insert contact at organisation] 3

6 Additional content/web assets Below is text which you may want to include in newsletters, e-zines or online: Scotland s drink drive limit is being lowered. The new limit will bring Scotland in line with the rest of Europe, lowering the limit from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The best approach is to have no alcohol at all if you re intending to get behind the wheel - alcohol at any level impairs driving. For more information, see 4

7 Social Media We d be grateful if you could also provide support by tweeting or posting on your social media channels. You can also like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: Facebook facebook.com/roadsafetyscotland YouTube youtube.com/roadsafetyscot Here are some examples you could use on your social networks.. Twitter We re supporting the Scottish Government s Drink Drive campaign. #lowerlimit Scotland s drink drive limit has been lowered. The best approach is simply not to drink and drive. #lowerlimit Facebook We re supporting the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland s Drink Drive campaign. Scotland has a new lower limit, here are some reasons not to risk it this festive period The drink drive limit has changed in Scotland. Even one drink could push you over the limit. Why not make plans to get home safely? Check out ways you can arrange to get home if you re heading out for a drink over the festive period. 5

8 Q&A What is the new legislation? Scotland s drink drive limit is being lowered. The Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, has introduced an order in Parliament which will mean that a reduced drink-drive limit will come into effect on Friday 5 December What is the new lower limit? The new limit is 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood, reduced from 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The equivalent new limit for breath alcohol concentration is 22 mcg/100 ml, reduced from 35 mcg/100 ml. Why change the limit? The Scottish Government is clear that we want a lower drink drive limit bringing Scotland in line with most other European countries - because we believe it will save lives and help make Scotland s roads safer. The latest estimates show that approximately one in ten deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit. One death as a result of drink driving is one death too many, so we owe it to the people of Scotland to consider what proportionate action we can take to reduce deaths and injuries on our roads. A lower limit should help reduce the numbers of deaths further. With the lower limit, how much can someone drink before they are over the limit? Everyone is different in the way they process and digest alcohol, so it s very difficult to accurately estimate the effect of alcohol on your system - so the best approach is don t drink any alcohol at all if you intend to get behind the wheel. 6

9 Q&A (cont.) What consequences/risks do drivers who are caught drink driving face? Even if you re slightly over the limit, in the eyes of the law you re still a drunk driver and the same consequences apply. If convicted of driving or attempting to drive whilst above the legal alcohol limit or if he/she fails to provide a specimen for analysis, a driver will face: A criminal record - for a minimum of 20 years Loss of licence with an automatic 12 month driving ban A risk of being fined up to 5,000 A risk of being imprisoned for up to 6 months A risk of losing your vehicle Causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of alcohol will result in a minimum two year driving ban and up to 14 years in prison with an unlimited fine. What is the real world impact of a drink drive conviction on someone s life? What is the real world impact of a drink drive conviction on someone s life? A drink drive conviction and minimum 20 year criminal record may have an impact on many aspects of an offender s life, including: a significant increase in insurance premiums when you able to drive again attendance on a drink driver s rehabilitation course inability to hire a car visa restrictions (particularly in terms of entry to the USA) 7

10 Q&A (cont.) It may also have wider implications, including: loss of job damage to relationships loss of social standing What is the likelihood of getting caught drink driving? Over 20,000 drivers in Scotland are stopped by the police every month meaning the likelihood of being caught is as high as ever. There is a commitment to breathalyse any driver who: Has been stopped for any moving traffic offence (for example, a faulty light) Is suspected of having been drinking Has been involved in a collision All members of the public are encouraged to report anyone they suspect of drink driving by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on or reporting it to their local police office by dialling 101. In an emergency, they can also dial

11 Useful links and contacts Useful links Useful contacts Stuart Martin or Jenny Stewart, Stripe Communications, or 9