Peterborough launches Euro 2004 drink drive campaign

With Euro 2004 kicking off this weekend and many other major sporting events taking place throughout June and July, Peterborough City Council last week launched a campaign to warn people not to drink and drive this summer.

To highlight the dangers of drinking and driving, RSOs invited a group of local football fans to take penalties and dribble a ball around cones while wearing impairment beer goggles. "Many fans missed the ball completely and some fell over - they had to concentrate really hard to get the ball on target," says Clair George, RSO.

Posters and leaflets are also being distributed to pubs and clubs in the Peterborough area.

"Euro 2004 is an exciting time for people with many watching the football and having a drink in pubs, bars and at friends’ homes, but any alcohol, even a small drink will make people worse drivers," Clair George adds. "The only safe way is not to drink and drive - and never offer a drink to someone who is driving.

"There is no failsafe guide as to how much drivers can drink and stay under the limit. The safest advice if drivers want to enjoy a drink or two while watching a match is to leave the car at home and book a taxi, stay overnight, use public transport or arrange for someone who is not drinking to drive. Drivers should always plan how to get to work the next morning as alcohol stays in the blood stream and they could still be affected the next day."

Paul Stubbings, from Cambridgeshire Constabulary added:
"Cambridgeshire Constabulary will be running an enforcement campaign from Saturday 12 June until Monday 12 July, which will include stop checks and road checks that will randomly take place in the evenings and mornings during this period. During 2004 we have already seen an increase of 11 per cent of drink drive offences in the county."

For further information contact Clair George, clair.george@peterborough.gov.uk