Press release EMBARGOED 1 December 2014 00:00hrs 21 November 2014 LAUNCH OF KCC ROAD SAFETY TEAM 2014 DRINK DRIVE CAMPAIGN One in ten fatal crashes involves a driver who has been drinking, and even the smallest amount of alcohol in our blood can dangerously affect our driving. That's the stark message from Kent County Council Road Safety Team as it launches a comprehensive Winter Drink Drive Campaign. Driving after just one drink can double the chances of having a car crash, and getting behind the wheel at twice the legal limit makes drivers 30 times more likely to cause a crash. With no accurate measure, other than the police breathalyser, the message this year is clear; if you are driving, don't drink; if you are drinking, don't drive. Over the last 5 winters, 281 people were injured or killed in drink driving related crashes on Kent and Medway s roads. Last winter alone, 89 individuals were killed or seriously injured because of drink drivers. Spelling out the dangers of drinking then driving, David Brazier, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said, "Drink driving wrecks lives. Tragically, crashes involving those who have been drinking continue to contribute to the 50 to 60 deaths and serious injuries on Kent's roads each winter. Drivers must understand that they do not have to be drunk to be dangerous. Just one drink can increase the chances of them having a crash, sometimes with tragic consequences for the victims and their families. "Drivers cannot be sure of the effect drink is having on their reaction times and ability to drive, until it is too late. Even the smallest amount of alcohol will affect their ability to drive safely. My message is simple; if you are driving just consider, is one drink worth it? The campaign will be publicised widely through local media, social media, in pubs and 1
clubs on beer mats and posters, and an Ad Van will tour the county's highest footfall areas. Detailed information about drink driving, including the 'morning after' effect, is available on a dedicated website, www.isonedrinkworthit.co.uk. To launch the Winter Drink Driving Campaign, Kent County Council is putting on events in Ashford, Canterbury and Maidstone during December to raise awareness of the dangers of drink driving and encourage people to stick to non- alcoholic drinks this Christmas if they are going to be driving that night or the morning after. The two- hour events will feature choirs performing Christmas Carols, including a Drink Driving Carol, written specifically for the campaign. KCC staff and the emergency services will be on hand to give away non- alcoholic mocktails whilst educating the public on the dangers of drink driving during the festive period. Recipes for the mocktails will be printed in the Winter Drink Driving handouts at the event. Steve Horton, Kent County Council s Road Safety Team Leader, said, "The penalties on drink drivers can be far reaching. Driving bans and prison sentences can lead to drink drivers losing their jobs, while fines and increased insurance premiums can have a long- lasting financial effect. Worse, a drink driver can cause a serious crash and change someone s life forever. I urge everyone to act responsibly this winter, particularly around Christmas and the New Year. Medway Council s Portfolio Holder for Front Line Services Cllr Phil Filmer said: The issue of drink driving cuts across the whole of Kent and Medway, and we are working with our partners in Kent to support this important message at this time of year. While we want everyone to enjoy festivities, don t take the risk of drinking and driving. Inspector Martin Stevens from the Kent Police roads policing unit said: Our officers are alert to potential drink- drivers all year round and will always seek to enforce the law to protect the public. Kent Police officers will be patrolling town centres and rural areas, in the evenings and the mornings after, throughout December and into the new year. Our message is simple there is no way to be sure whether you are over the legal drink- drive limit or not. One drink may be too many, so if you are driving, do not drink. If you are drinking, do not drive. 2
If someone you know is considering getting behind the wheel and you are concerned, please contact police or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Our intervention could save their life, or the lives of others, this Christmas. Alexa Kersting- Woods, road safety and safeguarding manager at Kent Fire and Rescue Service said, Joining forces with our colleagues across Kent and Medway to highlight such a vital message is crucial at any time of year. The aim is to highlight the devastating consequences that can happen if a person decides to drive under the influence of drink or drugs. Our key message to drivers is simple Is it worth the risk? There are still people who feel they can gamble with their lives and others lives by getting behind the wheel. Many believe they know how much the limit is - but the simple fact is there is only one way of being sure that you are safe to drive don t drink or take drugs at all. Any amount of either in your system affects your ability to drive. All too often we attend road crashes that have life- changing impacts on families. Please keep yourself, your family and others safe not just across the festive period, but always. =================== PHOTOCALLS =================== Launch of Kent Road Safety Winter Drink Drive Campaign The three events will each feature a choir singing a specially- written Christmas carol, and officers from Kent Fire and Rescue serving non- alcoholic "Mocktails". Ashford Monday 1 December from 6pm to 8pm Ashford Designer Outlet Kimberley Way, TN24 0SD There will be a dedicated area near the food court and children s play area. Canterbury Tuesday 10 December from 10am to1pm Whitefriars, 14 Gravel Walk, Canterbury, CT1 2TF There will be a staged area outside of Lloyds TSB. 3
Maidstone Thursday 18 December from 6pm to 8pm *Week Street / The Mall (weather dependent), Maidstone, ME14 1RH 4
NOTES FOR EDITORS Over the last 5 winters, 281 people were injured or killed in drink driving related crashes on Kent and Medway s roads. Last winter alone, 89 individuals were killed or seriously injured (KSI) because of drink drivers. 5
One in ten of road deaths involves a drunk driver. Driving with twice the legal limit of alcohol in your blood increases you chances of having an accident by 30. After one drink, the chances of a driver being involved in a crash can double. The affect of alcohol on our bodies varies depending on our weight, age, gender, metabolism, when we last ate and our current stress level. To be sure simply do not drive if you have had a drink and do not have a drink if you are going to drive. Driving or attempting to drive whilst above the legal limit or being unfit to drive through drink could lead to 6 months in prison with a fine of up to 5,000 and disqualification for at least 12 months. If you are convicted twice in ten years then the driving ban could be up to 10 years. Causing death by dangerous driving when under the influence of drink can lead to up to 14 years in prison, with unlimited fines, disqualification from driving for up to two years and a mandatory extended driving test to regain your license. After being convicted of drink driving, you could pay up to three times more for car insurance, or not be able to get insured at all. Full details at www.isonedrinkworthit.co.uk. MOCKTAIL RECIPES Santa's Surprise An assortment of fruit slices 2 parts non- alcoholic sparkling wine 2 parts ginger ale 1 part red grape juice Reindeer Mix 150ml orange juice 150ml pineapple juice 50ml peach juice Juice of half a lime Garnish with fruit - ends- Distributed by thinkzest 6
For further details please contact: Kier Humphreys, Account Manager, thinkzest 01634 671167 For interview requests: John Todd, Senior Press Officer, Media and Public Relations, Kent County Council. 01622 694 034 7