DRINK-DRIVERS are the focus of a police campaign to reduce the number of accidents on Essex roads.
In the run-up to Christmas more people go out for drinks with friends and work parties. While the majority do get a taxi home, or stick to soft drinks, there are plenty of drivers who do risk driving while over the limit.
These drivers are the focus of Essex police's Don't Take The Chance campaign.
Casualty reduction manager for Essex Police, Adam Pipe said: "This year's message is to plan in advance how you are going to get home after a night out. If you intend to drink alcohol, leave the car at home and take public transport or pre-book a taxi.
"If you are going out in a group, nominate a designated driver who will only drink soft drinks.
He added: "We want people to believe there is a fear of being caught."
A visible police presence will be noticeable around the county late at night and in the early hours of the morning in order to clamp down on drunk drivers.
Mr Pipe and his colleagues are also reliant on members of the public to contact them when they suspect someone to be drink-driving.
He said: "We want the public to tell us about people they know who are drink driving – specific times and places where they will be – particularly that will apply to people who think they are a step beyond the law."
Last year 280 people died nationally as a direct result of drink-driving and this year the Association of Chief Police Officers has focused its efforts on targeting young drivers and morning drivers.
One such early-morning driver was stopped in Tilbury last week and, when breathalysed, measured 57mcg alcohol – nearly twice the drink-drive limit.
Visitors to the Essex Police website will be able to keep up to date with the results of the campaign using an online totaliser showing the number of people breathalysed and found to be over the legal limit.
This can be seen at www.essex.police.uk/drinkdrive
Residents can also follow the progress of the campaign on Twitter @essexpoliceuk using the hashtag, #drinkdrive
