PSNI drink-drive campaign launch

During the high-profile safety drive to save lives, police officers across Northern Ireland will run targeted operations throughout the day and night, in the weeks leading up to Christmas and into the New Year, to catch drink drivers. In addition, specialist Road Policing officers will be coordinating road safety operations across the border counties with colleagues from An Garda Sochna Traffic Corp.

Londonderry Neighbourhood Inspector William Mulligan explained: "Last year drivers and motorcyclists who had consumed alcohol or drugs, caused 21 deaths and 115 people to receive serious injuries.

"These are particularly traumatic deaths and particularly painful and potentially life-changing injuries. I want all motorists to think about the consequences to yourself and your family of being involved in a serious collision. How would you feel if your actions resulted in you, or one of your family, being killed or seriously injured? How would you feel if you were responsible for the death of, or serious injury being caused to an innocent road user or pedestrian? It is also critically important for passengers to ensure their designated driver hasn't been drinking, and that drivers resist the temptation to carry excessive passengers.

"Sometimes I wish we could show more people the horrific results of someone taking the foolish, selfish decision of getting behind the wheel after drinking," he said, adding: "Words alone cannot describe the sights and sounds of the serious road traffic collisions which Police officers and our colleagues in the emergency services attend. Bodies are broken, lives are shattered and the consequences cannot be undone.

"While the number of people killed on roads in Northern Ireland to date this year is half that of this time last year (51 compared to 104), all it takes is one wrong decision, one moment's inattention, or one drink to instantly changes lives forever. I do not want officers knocking on doors bearing tragic news of loss of life.

Last year police carried out over 5,780 roadside preliminary breath tests and detected 414 over-the-limit drivers, and Inspector Mulligan warned all positive detections would result in court action, adding: "You also risk losing your job or going to jail.If everyone slowed down, did not drive after drinking or taking drugs, wore a seatbelt, and drove with greater care and attention then together we can reduce this carnage on our roads."