15
Dec
2014
By Calvin at 14:01 GMT, 9 years ago
Our friends in Durham Constabulary, along with all the other UK police services, are currently sending out warnings about being careful with alcohol consumption over the festive period.
This is what Durham police are telling us today:
DON’T be a dead drunk pedestrian – that’s the stark warning from police to revellers who may be putting themselves at risk this festive period.
From 2011-2013 in the Durham force area, investigations into pedestrians who died in road traffic collisions found the judgement of eight victims to be officially ‘impaired by alcohol’.
A further 63 were injured in the same period when they too were affected by drink.
On Friday afternoon officers were out in Durham’s Market Place highlighting the issue and asking party-goers to take some sensible precautions. They were joined by staff from Durham Constabulary’s Alcohol Harm Reduction Unit, the award-winning ‘Best Bar None’ scheme (run jointly by police and Durham County Council) and both the ambulance and fire services.
The campaign, promoted on Twitter as #deaddrunk has been put together with backing from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s community safety fund.
As part of the public awareness event, one eye-catching display saw Joanne Brenkley, from the fire and rescue service’s community safety team made up as a drunken pedestrian and prone beneath the wheels of a car parked in the Market Place.
The vehicle had also been ‘distressed’ to make it seem as though it has been involved in a collision.
Promotional items such as wallets and key-rings bearing the #deaddrunk logo will be handed out and many of the city’s bars are supporting the campaign by agreeing to use beer mats and advertising material in their premises.
Taxi companies, door staff, street pastors and local beat officers will be reinforcing the safety message throughout this evening and on subsequent nights in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.
And both Arriva and Go North East are carrying promotional material on their buses to support the initiative.
Durham’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Ron HOGG said; “This innovative campaign was paid for through my Community Safety Fund and is a scheme I am pleased to be part of.
“The festive season can be a great opportunity to relax, have fun and enjoy time with family and friends. However, I urge people to be aware of their alcohol limits and look out for each other, and ensure they make plans to get home safely.”
Chief Inspector Alison JACKSON said; “As far as we can tell, this is the first time any police force in the UK has devised a campaign specifically aimed at drunken pedestrians rather than drivers.
“Over the festive period many people will be going out on the town and having perhaps one drink too many. But by taking a few simple precautions, such as pre-planning their journey home by arranging a lift or booking a taxi they can greatly cut down the risk to themselves on the way home.”
TCPW Comment: Having policed the streets over the festive season I can emphasise with Durham police’s messages and the need for such an initiative. If you are planning a night out do please make sure you eat well before drinking and try to alternate your alcoholic drinks with soft ones.
Being drunk on the street is not cool; but being a dead drunk pedestrian will be cold.
Source Durham Police: https://www.durham.police.uk/news-and-events/Pages/News%20Articles/Don't-be-a-dead-drunk-pedestrian.aspx
