Isle of Man Guide

This year’s festive campaign warning motorists of the dangers of drinking and driving was launched on the 30th November at the Sea Terminal in Douglas.

The 2009 campaign is a joint initiative between the Department of Transport’s Road Safety Unit and the Isle of Man Constabulary and the message is simple, don’t drink and drive this Christmas and New Year.

This year, the campaign focuses on a series of cartoon images with the tag line ‘Booze, choose or lose.’ The ‘booze’ cartoon includes men and women out drinking and having fun during the festive period, ‘choose’ shows taxi’s and buses which they should take on their way home or into work the next day. The ‘lose’ image shows a person being escorted into the back of a police van after they have chosen to drive.

Member for Highways, David Quirk MHK said: ‘You may have only had one or two drinks but even a small amount of alcohol can affect a person’s ability to drive safely. If you drink and drive you are taking a massive risk and face prosecution from the Police or worse endangering your own life and the lives of innocent people. We are asking all motorists this year to choose to take public transport when going to Christmas parties, visiting relatives or just going out for a few drinks to avoid losing and being prosecuted for drunk-driving.’

The Road Safety team will be out and about at various locations around the Island during the Christmas and New Year period to encourage motorists to take heed of the anti-drink drive message.

Chief Constable Mike Langdon said:

‘ Once again this campaign highlights the risks involved when people drink and drive. Not only do people risk losing their license and maybe their jobs but there is also the risk of serious injury or worse. The Isle of Man Constabulary will provide high profile policing in conjunction with the Department of Transport over the period to educate drivers and identify suspected drunk drivers. I sincerely hope that the public appreciate this and have a safe and enjoyable Christmas period.’

The penalties for drinking and driving are severe and include a fine of up to £5,000, a disqualification and a possible prison sentence. As well as this the cost of insurance will rise, there is the inconvenience of being unable to drive and having to retake your driving test.

The Isle of Man now operates a reciprocal agreement so that any driving ban enforced on the Island will now also apply in the UK.

Radio adverts will play a large part in the campaign this year, adverts have been recorded for morning and afternoon/evening with different message in each for motorists. The adverts to be played in the morning encourage motorists to take the bus into work as they may still be over the legal limit from the evening before, the adverts to be played in the afternoon and evening ask party goers to make sure they have their arrangements in place for their journey home.

Mr Quirk continued:

‘Even the morning after your night out you may still be over the legal limit for driving. Ensure that you are complying with the law by taking the bus or a taxi to work. Make sure that you don’t ruin your Christmas, if you booze, choose to take public transport or risk losing your license or your life.’

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