Merseyside drink-drive crackdown launched

'You can't calculate your limit' is the message of Merseyside's 2004 Christmas and New Year drink driving campaign.

Thousands of drivers face being stopped on the roads of Merseyside over the next four weeks as part of the high-visibility campaign, which launched on Tuesday 30 November.

Police are warning drivers that it's much safer not to drink at all if you are driving - as it's impossible to calculate the amount of alcohol that it is 'safe' to drink and still drive.

Between now and the New Year, specialist teams of Merseyside police officers will be working exclusively on Operation Nemesis, conducting roadside checks 24 hours a day.

These officers will be supported by regular patrols who will be extra vigilant towards drink driving. This year, police will be particularly targeting motorists who drive the morning after, and motorists who are prepared to drive after taking drugs. Traffic officers have been given specialist training to carry out roadside checks for drug use.

The campaign follows on from last year when police stopped nearly 5,000 motorists in the run up to Christmas and New Year across Merseyside. Despite a reduction in the number of injury collisions over that time, approximately six per cent of drivers tested in collisions were arrested for positive, refused or failed tests.

Merseyside RSOs will be supporting the campaign by targeting pubs, clubs and public buildings with thousands of leaflets and posters, re-iterating the message 'You can't calculate your alcohol limit'. This will be backed up with a radio advertising campaign.

"The size and scale of this campaign shows that the Merseyside authorities partnership is stronger and more determined than ever to tackle drink-driving," said Andy Wilson Merseyside's road safety spokesman. "We will work hard to persuade and educate drivers that drinking and driving is a risk too far and is simply not worth taking. If that doesn't work, then I can assure the public that the checks Merseyside Police are planning are the most extensive ever. I'd just like to remind drivers that even if they drink and stay under the limit, they are still five times more likely to be involved in an accident. The message couldn't be more simple. Don't drink and drive."

Operation Nemesis will run from Tuesday 30 November to Sunday 2 January 2005.