Younger generation are "more likely" to be drink-drivers

Wednesday 01 August 2018

It is now the island's younger generation who are "willing to take the risk" when it comes to drink driving, Guernsey's Drug and Alcohol Strategy Co-ordinator has said.

This was revealed in statistics from the first six months of 2018, which showed 49 people had been charged with drink driving, 12 of which arrests were connected to a crash, and 32 of all of those people were under the age of the 30.

This new revelation has led to a change in focus for the States' and Police's combined 2018 Summer Drink Drive campaign, that is kicking off this week.

The "Deadly Cocktail" campaign focusses on the fact that it is easy to forget how many units are in just one drink. It will run for four weeks with police officers carrying out regular stop checks.

Attention will also now be put on educating the younger generation of drivers on the dangers of getting behind the wheel after drinking, and how some drinks can contain more units than you might expect.

"Cocktails seem to be the drink of choice this summer, so the purpose of this year's campaign is to remind islanders that they need to be aware that its not always easy to tell how many units of alcohol are included in each cocktail," Andrea Nightingale, Drug & Alcohol Strategy Co-ordinator, said.

"Having analysed the drink drive statistics so far in 2018, it is clear we really need to get the message across this year more than ever. Even if you have driven your vehicle into town or to the venue of choice please think about an alternative to get home." 

Pictured: The latest poster campaign to try and stop people drink driving in Guernsey 

Both Randalls and the Liberation Group continue to support these campaigns by using promotional posters in their establishments. Said posters have been designed by TPA Guernsey, and its Chief Executive; Tony Tostevin, said: "The idea behind the 'Deadly Cocktail' campaign is simple yet clever that gets across the seriousness of mixing alcohol and driving and can be developed for future campaigns.

"The message is intended to make people think about their actions and the subsequent detrimental impact the ban will have on their home life and also close family and friends."

Pictured top: Tony Tostevin and Andrea Nightingale at the launch of the 2018 summer drink drive campaign