“With Christmas approaching, people forget about the dangers of drink driving. However drinking or taking drugs before getting behind the wheel dramatically increases your chances of being involved in a serious collision,” said PCSO Sam O’Grady from the Borehamwood & Elstree Safer Neighbourhood Team.
To remind Borehamwood residents about the consequences of mixing alcohol and/or drugs and driving, the Safer Neighbourhood Team ran a Think! Campaign in Theobald Street last Saturday (December 10) and used a new drug testing ‘Itemiser’ machine.
Of the 35 vehicles randomly stop checked, four drivers were breathalysed:
- One man was surprised that he clearly had alcohol still in his system at 9am after drinking three pints the night before. He blew just under the legal limit and words of advice were given.
- Thirteen vehicles were swabbed for drugs using the Itemiser.
- And a driver who had a defective headlight was issued a VDRS (Vehicle, defect, rectification scheme) ticket in order to ensure the vehicle was repaired and made road worthy.
PCSO O’Grady said: “We will continue to carry out stop checks in Hertsmere during December to target drink and drug drivers. When you go out drinking, think about how you will be getting home. Organise a taxi or nominate a driver, who will not be drinking. Let’s try and remember this Christmas for all the right reasons.”
Valerie Kane, Community Safety Manager at Hertsmere Borough Council, commented: “We’re really pleased to be able to work together to secure the right equipment to tackle this important issue and to raise awareness of the consequences of driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.”
David Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire added: “I’m pleased to see the new technology working well to catch people over the limit. Drivers should be aware of the potential to still be intoxicated the morning after, and to make appropriate arrangements for getting home and going back into work the next day.”
The Itemiser, which allows frontline officers to quickly and accurately identify a range of drugs, was purchased with funding from both the Police and Crime Commissioner and Hertsmere Borough Council.
