PSNI Winter Drink Drive Operation

The dedicated drink drive operation is one of a series of initiatives which together form Operation Season’s Greetings, which Police are running over the Christmas period to keep everyone safe.

Head of Operations Branch, Superintendent Mark Purdon said: “During the winter drink drive operation last year, we detected 429 people who took the risk of killing or injuring themselves, their family, friends and other innocent road users by deciding to drive after drinking.

“This figure was particularly disappointing, but considering that some of these people were so drunk, they could barely stand up, it just beggars belief that some people still insist on attempting to drive after drinking,”” he said.

In addition to running targeted operations to catch drink drivers throughout the day and night, in the weeks leading up to Christmas and into the New Year, Police will again coordinate road safety operations across the border.

“The message is simple, It’s never OK to Drive and Drive,”” Superintendent Purdon said.

Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: “It can be tempting to take an unplanned drink, particularly at Christmas parties, and consider driving home. But even small amounts of alcohol impair driving, so thinking that you can have one drink and drive safely isn’t realistic.“Lives can change forever the moment drivers take a drink and decide to drive home. Just one drink will impair your driving. It’s your choice and your responsibility. Leave the car at home and ask someone else to drive or take a taxi. No matter what time of the year it is – never, ever drink and drive.”