Failing the breath-test - the scene is acted out in front of onlookers this afternoon.

6 December 2007

Lunchtime crowds in Aylesbury’s Market Square witnessed a staged but realistic crash drama today.

Firefighters and paramedics rescued a child and baby from the wreckage of a car – and then the driver was breath-tested and arrested by a police officer.

The event was organised by Buckinghamshire County Council’s road safety team, supported by Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service, Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service and the British Red Cross.

They were drawing attention to the fact that you can still be over the drink-drive alcohol limit the morning after you’ve been out drinking.

Two crews from Aylesbury Fire Station took part in the demonstration, and Keith Wheeler, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s community safety partnership manager for Aylesbury Vale, provided the commentary.

It included the following facts, figures and tips compiled by Buckinghamshire County Council’s road safety team:

• In Buckinghamshire in 2006, there were 74 collisions where the driver was under the influence of alcohol, resulting in 27 people being killed or seriously injured.
  
  
• One in five people convicted of drinking and driving are caught the morning after.
  
  
• If you’ve been drinking the previous night you may still be affected by alcohol the next day. Even though you may feel okay when you get up, you may still be unfit to drive or be over the legal alcohol limit.
  
  
• That could be you on the school run or at the weekend when you are taking your children to swimming, football or out doing the weekly shop!
  
  
• THINK about how much you’re drinking if you need to drive early the next morning.
  
  
• There is no failsafe guide as to how to stay under the legal alcohol limit or how much you can drink and still drive safely.
  
  
• Any amount of alcohol affects your ability to drive safely. You may think you can handle your drink, but you will have difficulty judging distance and speed. Your reactions are slower, so it will take you longer to stop.
  
  
• People who drive over the current alcohol limit are at least 50 times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash. THINK! Don’t be one of them.
  
  
• Remember it takes time for alcohol to leave your body, it’s impossible to get rid of it faster. Sleeping, eating, showering and drinking coffee won’t make you sober any faster.
  
  
• The only safe option is: If you plan to drink, don’t drive

If you’re convicted of drink driving:

• You’ll have a criminal record
  
  
• You’ll be banned from driving for a least a year
  
  
• You could lose your job
  
  
• Your insurance costs will rocket
  
  
• Your lifestyle could change dramatically
  
  
• You could kill someone