Brake, the road safety charity, has called on drivers to stay sober if driving over the Christmas period to prevent devastating casualties.
The call comes as the Association of Chief Police Officers’ and Police Scotland’s annual drink and drug driving enforcement campaign kicks off. The month long campaign sees forces across the UK stepping up checks to catch drivers risking lives. It’s been given renewed impetus as a new, lower drink drive limit comes into force in Scotland on 5th December.
Latest available figures, from 2012, show that 230 people were killed (one in eight road deaths) and 1,210 were seriously injured in crashes involving someone over the limit. It’s estimated a further 65 deaths are caused annually by drivers who have been drinking but are under the limit. Drug driving is estimated to cause 200 deaths each year.
“As a charity that supports bereaved and injured road crash victims, we witness the suffering that drink and drug driving inflict, and appeal to everyone to help put a stop to it,” explained Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake. “Drink and drug driving deaths and injuries are cruel and needless, ending and ruining lives and leaving traumatised families to pick up the pieces.”
If you’re driving home from celebrations this festive season, it’s vital you take your responsibility for people’s safety seriously, and stay completely off booze and drugs,” she added. “It’s a fact that even small amounts of alcohol or drugs increase your risk of crashing.”
For advice on making a road traffic accident claim then contact our solicitors today on 0141 333 6750 or click here to make an online enquiry.
By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.dallasmcmillan.co.uk/
