The Isle of Man Constabulary and Department of Infrastructure are pleased to report a significant reduction in the number of people arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol over this festive period.
During the campaign there were 12 arrests, 3 people have been charged, 5 were found to be under the limit and the remaining 4 have been bailed pending further inquires. This compares favourably with the 19 people who were arrested during the same period in 2012/13 when 16 were charged.
The Never Drink and Drive message was used in this campaign to emphasise the dangers associated with driving, even after a small quantity of alcohol. This was supported by the ‘From G&T to A&E’ and ‘From Ale to Jail’ imagery.
From the 12 December, the Never Drink and Drive message was supplemented using beer mats, bar runners and Christmas cards that included information on late night bus times and taxi numbers to encourage the public to designate a driver, catch a bus or take a taxi to get home. In total over 3,500 printed items were distributed.
Gordon Edwards, Road Safety Manager, said:
'I welcome the reduction in number of arrests which I believe results from a number of factors including the targeted publicity and enforcement campaign. The Department would like to thank all public houses and retail outlets who displayed campaign materials.'
Sergeant Allan Thompson of the Roads Policing Unit said:
'We’ve used social media to publicise our campaign this year and explaining how we intended being in the right place at the right time to deter drink drivers. We posted pictures of our cars on patrol at the key times and in locations which would have the greatest impact on those believing they could get away with drink driving.
I am confident that, because we’ve been more proactive and worked later shifts at the key times, the message has got through. I am dismayed that some people are still stupid enough to risk drinking and driving but a reduction from 16 people before a Court to 3 is something that both the Department of Infrastructure and the Police are very proud to report.
I’d like to invite members of the public to follow us on our Facebook or Twitter pages ‘Isle of Man Constabulary Roads Policing Unit’ where we are striving to engage with our communities to make our roads safer.'
For further information contact Gordon Edwards Tel: +44 1624 686901
