THE harsh consequences of drink-driving are being highlighted by Cornwall Council’s Road Safety Team’s campaign to keep people safe this Christmas.
‘Don’t kiss your licence goodbye’ is the message of the council’s poster, which advises pub-goers not to drive if they have been drinking – as well as warning that they could still be unfit to drive the morning after.
Posters and beermats displaying the key messages under the banner ‘The Honest Truth’ have been distributed throughout the county.
‘How much you have drunk when you stop drinking and when you are planning to drive are crucial considerations if you want to remain safe and legal to drive,’ says Tamsin Ferris, a Fire and Road Safety officer with Cornwall Council.
The safety team warns that alcohol stays in your system longer than you think,’ they say.
‘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, they say.
‘Drivers are more inclined to take risks and believe they are in control, when, in fact, 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 or a six-month prison sentence.’
They also remind people that a drink-driving conviction remains on their licence for 11 years.