The lasting impact of drink driving is highlighted in a new THINK! campaign launched today by Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick.
The £1.6m summer campaign with new radio adverts emphasises that a drink drive conviction stays on your licence for 11 years - affecting your job prospects and serving as a constant reminder of the 12-month driving ban you received for driving while over the limit.
Jim Fitzpatrick said:
"Drink drivers put themselves and others in serious danger but getting behind the wheel after drinking can have a devastating impact on your life even if you avoid a crash. You'll get a minimum 12-month driving ban and a large fine - and the record will stay on your licence for 11 years.
"As the weather gets warmer we all want to be out enjoying ourselves and might end up drinking when we hadn't planned to, but that doesn't mean we have to drive home. If you've had a drink use public transport or take a taxi - otherwise that quick pint might end up lasting 11 long years."
Matthew (not his real name) from Sunderland was convicted of drink driving nine years ago and still feels the repercussions today. Aged 28 at the time, he was pulled over by police for a faulty brake light, breathalysed and found to be over the limit.
Matthew said: "I'd been at a friend's watching a football match and had four cans of lager. I thought I would be OK to drive but obviously I wasn't."
He was given 11 points on his licence. His conviction meant his car insurance trebled overnight. "I had a small car but my insurance went from £200 to about £700 and stayed high for years. And although you no longer have to declare convictions after five years my licence is still endorsed and will be for another year or so."
Matthew says he has learnt his lesson. "If I take the car to the pub I don't even risk one pint and if I know I'm going to be driving early in the morning I won't drink too much the night before, just in case. It's definitely not worth it."
Andrew Johnson, head of transport for Government Office for the North East, said:
"Drink drivers need to be aware that a conviction could affect their lives for years. Consequences can include a large fine, driving ban, up to six months imprisonment, potential loss of their job and increased insurance costs.
"We want people to take responsibility for their own actions and to think about the potential consequences of drinking and driving, that include these long term personal impacts when they are caught and convicted."
The new THINK! adverts highlight just how long a drink drive conviction stays on your licence by pointing out what else you will do in the 11 years. For example:
- Your heart will beat 400,000,000 times
- You'll breathe enough air to fill 20 hot air balloons
- You'll eat enough potatoes to fill 6 phone boxes
- You'll drink 36 bathtubs full of water
- You'll climb enough stairs to ascend Mt Everest twice
- You'll sweat enough to fill 1,612 fish tanks.
As well as the new radio adverts and in-pub advertising the summer drink drive campaign features TV and cinema advertising and a partnership marketing campaign. It runs from June 2 to August 10.
