Date: 7th December, 2020
Firefighters at Salisbury fire station are supporting the Christmas drink and drug driving campaign with a dramatic visual display.
Two crashed cars have been placed at the fire station in Ashley Road to look as though they have been in a collision. An adjacent banner says: “Drive responsibly – don’t get smashed.”
Watch Manager Tom Brolan said: “Colleagues at Stratton fire station in Swindon have had a similar display for the last few years and it’s been very effective, so we thought it would be good to share the same message in Salisbury. Most people don’t drink and drive, but we hope this serves as a reminder to everyone about alcohol levels, not only in the evening but also on the morning after. As firefighters, we deal with far too many horrific road traffic collisions, and we are urging people to really think about their actions over the Christmas period.”
He added: “The impact of a collision not only affects those driving, but can have a lasting effect on families, whether by a death or injury to a loved one or a prison sentence for anyone who has behaved irresponsibly and broken the law. We want everyone to have a safe festive period – with so many people staying home this year, the risks of being over the limit the next day are potentially higher, so please think before jumping in the car for the school run or to pop to the shops.”
Over 200 deaths a year are caused by drink driving, accounting for around 14% of all fatal collisions. The consequences of being caught drink or drug-driving can include a minimum 12 month driving ban, a large fine, a criminal record and can have serious implications for insurance premiums. It can also have a huge impact on personal lifestyle, with people losing their jobs and suffering relationship breakdowns.
The legal limit is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. However, it’s not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. The way alcohol affects you depends on multiple factors, including:
- your weight, age, sex and metabolism (the rate your body uses energy)
- the type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking
- what you’ve eaten recently
- your stress levels at the time
So, if you’re driving, it’s better to have none for the road. You don’t have to feel drunk to be a drink-driver; the only safe option is to not consume any alcohol if you plan to drive.
See www.dwfire.org.uk/road-safety for more information about staying safe on the roads.