Gwent Police officers will be out in force over the festive period taking robust action against anyone driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
The month-long campaign which launches today (Thursday 3 December) in Caernarfon, is a collaborative effort between all four Welsh police forces and the Welsh Assembly Government.
During this campaign last year a total of 36,000 motorists were stopped and breathalysed across Wales.
125 of the 14,000 motorists stopped in Gwent were arrested for delivering a positive breath test.
If you are convicted of drink driving you will most certainly have a criminal record and lose your licence for a minimum of one year but you could also face a fine of up to £5000 or worse still, a prison sentence.
Roads Policing Chief Inspector John Pavett is leading the campaign and sending the following warning to anyone who believes it is acceptable to drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs:
“The likelihood of you being caught this year is higher than ever. We treat this offence very seriously and target drink drivers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
This campaign focuses on the Christmas and New Year period and during this time we will be vigorously targeting those irresponsible and dangerous drivers who choose to flout the law and put their own safety at risk as well as that of their passengers and other road users.
I appeal to all Gwent residents to support this campaign. If you see anyone acting irresponsibly this Christmas, about to drive following an alcoholic drink, and you are not in a position to safely dissuade them from doing so, please contact Gwent Police on 01633 838 111 and ask to speak with an officer from your local police station.”
To find out more about the campaign or to offer your views/feedback on the campaign please visit www.gwent.police.uk
