Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 20/07/2010 10:02

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service and Cornwall Council Road Safety will be launching a summer-long road safety campaign aimed at reducing drink driving in Newquay this summer.

Alcohol was detailed as a contributory factor in 13% of all collisions in Newquay in 2009, more than twice the Cornwall-wide figure of 5%.

The initiative, ‘Looking Back…’, focuses on the regret a driver would feel if they were involved in a collision which led to the injury or death of a friend, after they had chosen to drive while under the influence of alcohol.

Throughout the summer Newquay firefighters, led by Watch Manager Jon Castleden, will be visiting four campsites each week to talk to drivers about the dangers of drink driving.

Des Tidbury, Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer says: “Through this thought-provoking campaign we hope to be able to reduce the problem of drink driving in Newquay. By using firefighters, who see the tragic consequences of road traffic collisions on an all too regular basis, to engage with drivers at the campsites, it is hoped that drivers will be encouraged to make a smarter choice this summer and use alternative forms of transport if they have been drinking.”

The campaign will see posters distributed throughout Newquay and the surrounding areas, as well as flyers displaying drink driving facts being inserted into welcome packs at local campsites. The flyers will offer discounts off fares available through local taxi firms supporting the campaign to act as an incentive to encourage the use of taxis to get back to the campsites safely after a night out.

The campaign message of the importance of taking care when out enjoying yourselves supports and reiterates the Newquay Safe project objectives. Both the project and the campaign aim to raise awareness of the dangers of anti-social behaviour and promote responsible behaviour.

Paula Wellings, Cornwall Council Casualty Reduction Manager says: “Through a targeted partnership approach we hope to raise awareness of the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol, and in conjunction with the focused activities of many partners within the Newquay area throughout the year, we hope to reduce the number of people being needlessly injured in road traffic collisions.”

Any amount of alcohol affects a driver’s reaction times, judgment and co-ordination. Alcohol also makes it impossible for drivers to assess their own impairment because it creates a false sense of confidence and means drivers are more inclined to take risks and believe they are in control when they are not.

If a driver is found to be over the limit they will automatically receive a minimum of 12 months disqualification from driving, they could also receive a £5,000 fine and a six-month prison sentence. A conviction for causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment and a minimum two year driving ban.

For more information please contact Jon Castleden, Watch Manager, Newquay Fire Station on 01637 871195.

Notes for editors:

The campsites in Newquay which will be visited on a weekly basis are:

o Trevelgue Holiday Park

o Rosecliston Campsite

o Treloy Touring Park

o Newquay Holiday Park.

· 17-24 year olds accounted for 29% of all road casualties in Newquay in 2009.

· In Cornwall in 2009 there were 1498 reported collisions involving personal injury. 23 people were killed and 2090 injured.