Summer Drink Drive Campaign Starts

1 June 2012, 06:41 | Updated: 1 June 2012, 06:49

Police in Hampshire reckon more people will get caught drunk behind the wheel because of events like the Jubilee and Olympics this summer.

Thames Valley and Hampshire are starting their annual campaign - nearly a thousand people were arrested during last year's one.

In Hampshire 692 people were arrested on suspicion of drink-driving between June and September 2011 - with 561 charged.

More men than women were caught while the worst age group was 21 to 25-year-olds with 146 arrests.

In the Thames Valley the drinki-driving campaign ran through the month of June with a total of 271 people arrested on suspicion of being unfit to drive because of alcohol or drugs. The number of women arrested went up by 61 percent.

Anyone caught driving while intoxicated faces a minimum 12-month ban, up to £5,000 fine and a criminal record. Causing death by drink-driving carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison and and a minimum 2-year ban.

With Britain hosting the 2012 Olympics, Hampshire's Roads Policing unit is anticipating is potential rise in people unwittingly getting behind the wheel drunk as they celebrate what is hoped to be a golden year for UK athletes.

"There are a lot of events this summer that will see many of us gather to celebrate with friends and family", said Superintendent Chris Brown, head of roads policing for Hampshire and Thames Valley.

"This summer should be one to remember, so the last thing we want is for 2012 to be a year some would rather forget because of drink driving.
 
"Our message therefore is simple: don't drink and drive. It's simply not worth the risk."