MOTORISTS in Carmarthenshire are being reminded this Christmas that even a small amount of alcohol can put them over the limit.
The four Welsh police forces alongside Road Safety Wales have launched their annual anti drink-driving campaign, targeting drivers who risk their lives and the lives of others by driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Although the campaign is running from December 1 to January 1, the drive to change attitudes, increase road safety and catch offenders continues all year round.
The council’s road safety unit is supporting the campaign and posters highlighting the consequences of drink-driving have been sent to pubs and clubs across the county.
Figures show that approximately one in seven deaths on Welsh roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit; the risk of being involved in an accident increases rapidly when alcohol is consumed.
Executive Board Member for Transport Cllr Hazel Evans said: “Remember, a person can easily still be over the limit the morning after an evening’s drinking. It can take 12 hours to be alcohol free after drinking one bottle of wine and up to 18 hours after drinking four pints of strong lager or ale.
“If caught the next morning, motorists face the same consequences as if they had been caught the night before. Even if you are under the limit, you can still be charged with impairment through drink if stopped by police.”
Causing death by dangerous driving whilst under the influence carries a penalty of up to 14 years in jail and a minimum two year driving ban.
Last year in Wales a total of 30,718 motorists took part in the campaign, with 488 returning either positive results or failing/refusing to take the breath test.
Cllr Evans added: “If you drink and drive, you considerably increase the risk of killing an innocent person, or yourself or both.”
Don’t pay the penalty
The likelihood of being caught is now greater than ever before. Police will breathalyse any driver who:
- Has been stopped for any moving traffic offence (e.g. using a mobile phone, a faulty brake light, not wearing a seatbelt)
- They suspect has been drinking
- Has been involved in an accident
Driving or attempting to drive whilst over the limit will result in:
- Loss of licence – an automatic minimum 12 month driving ban
- A risk of being fined up to £5,000
- A criminal record
- An offence which stays on your licence for 11 years
Having a criminal record can really impact on peoples’ lives, affecting:
- Relationships
- Job prospects
- Travel – e.g. to USA
- Insurance premiums, which can triple
- Hiring a car
- Social standing
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