Caithness.org News Bulletins -  November 2002

Thurso Index

Northern Constabulary are launching their Festive Safety Campaign on Tuesday 9th December with a radio commercial asking people not to blow their Christmas by drink driving.

The campaign will again be a three pronged road safety initiative targeting drink drivers, speeding motorists and those who travel without wearing a seat belt. A familiar sight now on the road at this time of year will be extra patrols who will be encouraging good driving behaviour and promoting road
safety.

There are still over 300 deaths ever year on Scottish roads and Northern Constabulary along with other Forces throughout the country will not become complacent in its efforts to drive down the death toll even further.

Again, police are encouraging members of the public to contact the CRIMESTOPPERS hotline number if they suspect anyone of drink driving.  This information will be acted upon and offenders dealt with swiftly. Police hope that the public will take the chance to reduce misery on the roads by reporting drink drivers on the CRIMESTOPPERS number, 0800 555 111 which is free and confidential.

No particular age group is being targeted as a slight increase over the last few years has shown that no age is immune from the drink drive scourge and officers will be extra vigilent as they patrol roads in the Highlands and Islands.

Chief Inspector John McDonald of the Force's Community Safety Section said today, "We have seen a major reduction this year in our road casualty figures which is in no small measure due to the public listening to our road safety messages and we thank them for it. What we would like to see now is more responsible behaviour when it comes to drink driving. The police have to pick up the pieces following a road accident and it is made all the worse then it is the result of a drink driver - these accidents are preventable. You can lose you licence but you can also lose your life. Unfortunately for some people this
Christmas it will be grim tidings we will be delivering."

Northern Constabulary's Campaign this year will run in conjunction with the ACPOS Roads Policing Standing Committee's annual Campaign which will run from tomorrow until Monday 6th January.  It is supported by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign and the current Safer Scotland Campaign which is focusing on public reassurance and high visibility.