Drink drive campaign launched by West Midlands Police

THE campaign to crackdown on drink driving this winter has been launched by West Midlands Police.

Throughout December officers will be conducting random roadside stop-checks across the region to catch motorists who have climbed behind the wheel while under the influence of drink or drugs.

Inspector Greg Jennings said: "Drink driving is an issue all year but with the more relaxed atmosphere during the festive season the temptation to offend becomes greater.

"We urge people not to put themselves, their friends, family and the public at risk by drink or drug driving.

"Remember, even if you were drinking alcohol the night before you can still be over the drink drive limit well into the following day."

Officers are advising friends to have a nominated driver who will not drink if they go out or to arrange for a taxi to take them home.

During last year's campaign more than 5,000 drivers were stopped at the roadside, 447 of whom provided a positive test.

Male drivers aged 20-24 were most likely to fail or refuse a breath test following a collision last year and this group failed the most breath tests during the force's summer drink drive campaign.

A mother whose son died when the car he was a passenger in crashed while being driven by a drink driver who was twice over the legal alcohol limit is backing the campaign.

Jane Bennett's son Scott died in December 2010 aged 22.

The driver is currently serving a three year and four month sentence in prison for causing death by careless driving while over the alcohol limit.

She said: "Every morning and during the night I wake up to the reality that my youngest son has died and I will never see him in this world again.

"I will never know why the driver thought he would be able to drink that much alcohol and drive a car safely.

"All I know is the decision to drive his car caused the death of my son."

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