28 November 2007

An important road safety message will be played out in front of town centre passers-by next Thursday (6 December) lunchtime.

Market Square, Aylesbury, will be the scene of a mock car crash involving a mother, her 10-year-old daughter and a baby.

The event is being staged by Buckinghamshire County Council’s road safety team, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service as part of a campaign against drink-driving.

Keith Wheeler, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s community safety partnership manager for Aylesbury Vale, said: “We are doing it during the day to help illustrate the fact that you can still be over the limit the morning after you have been drinking. Nearly one in five people who are convicted of drink-driving are caught the next day.”

Keith, who will provide a commentary while the demonstration is taking place, will remind onlookers that it is best to arrange a lift or use public transport if they have to travel somewhere the morning after an evening of drinking.

The event starts at 12.45pm and is expected to take 15 to 20 minutes.

Fact file

• Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink carries a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment, a fine of up to £5,000 and a minimum of a 12-month driving ban.
  
  
• An endorsement for a drink-driving offence remains on a driving licence for 11 years.
  
  
• Being in charge of a vehicle while over the legal limit or unfit through drink could result in three months' imprisonment plus a fine of up to £2,500 and a driving ban.
  
  
• Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, a minimum two-year driving ban and a requirement to pass an extended driving test before the offender is able to drive legally again.