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HELP GET DRUNKEN AND IRRESPONSIBLE DRIVERS OFF OUR ROADS

Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs is an offence under Section 3A of the Road Traffic Act 1988

UNDERSTAND YOUR LIMITS

Driving with an illegal blood alcohol content is almost always a deliberate criminal act. Do not drive to a place or function, drink alcohol and then try to drive home.

You are fully responsible for any consequences of impaired driving, and must answer at law for any death, injury or damage you cause. Death at the hands of a drunken driver is comparable to murder or manslaughter.

Below are suggestions to reduce the number of drunk or drugged drivers on our roads.

1. DRINKING AND DRIVING KILLS


Even if you never drink and drive, alcohol impaired driving is still your problem - because you share the road with others.


Remember these facts:

In 2016, figures show that 230 people were killed and there were over 9,000 casualties in total in drink drive
accidents.

Provisional estimates for 2017 show that between 240 and 330 people were killed in accidents in Great Britain where at least one driver was over the drink-drive limit, with a central estimate of 290 deaths.

Although the level of drinking and driving has dropped dramatically over the last three decades, over 200 people are still killed in drink drive accidents every year.

Despite 30 years of drink drive education and enforcement, over 70,000 people are still caught drink driving annually.

In 2016, 100 pedestrians were killed or seriously injured by drink drivers, as were 390 car passengers. 40 children were killed or seriously injured by drink drivers that year.

In 2017, 325,887 roadside breath tests were carried out by the police, of which 44,893 drivers or riders (14% of those tested) failed or refused to take the test.

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2. DECIDE FOR YOURSELF


It is important that each of us makes a rational decision about drinking and driving. The law protects under 18s from alcohol, as it is actually a potential killer drug.


DO YOU KNOW the law regarding the breathalyser?

DO YOU UNDERSTAND blood alcohol levels and how and why they affect a drivers competence? Even the average social drinker may sometimes drink himself or herself into trouble. One drink leads to another, so decide not to mix driving with alcohol.

DID YOU KNOW that if you have been drinking the night before you could well be over the limit the next morning?

MoreFacts About Alcohol Limits

3. BE A RESPONSIBLE HOST


Never send your friends out onto the road at the end of a party, after drinking alcohol.


Plan to have plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available. Have plenty of food. Plan who is going to drive home-someone who will not drink alcohol, nor take drugs. Arrange to call a taxi, organise a lift.

SOMEONE'S LIFE COULD BE IN YOUR HANDS

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4. FIGHT FOR TOUGHER LAWS AND REAL PUNISHMENTS SPEAK OUT


Many CADD members have experienced a severe sense of injustice from the British legal system heaped upon their grief and physical suffering. We have repeatedly called for:


A: Stronger enforcements of existing laws
B: Maximum use of existing penalties
C: Tougher overall drink/drive laws


The Road Traffic Act of 2000 defined a new offence: 'Causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs' which carries a maximum of 14 years jail. This new offence makes it almost impossible for drunken killer drivers to escape justice as they had previously. Death by reckless driving has been changed to dangerous.

CADD urges the authorities to enforce existing traffic laws more strictly and to deter drivers from committing road crimes. The camera for speeding and red-light running will be a conspicuous deterrent. Help to keep our roads safer-write to MPs and the media, sign petitions -SPEAK OUT.

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5. REPORT A BAD DRIVER


If a persistently drunk, or disqualified driver, cannot stop him/herself driving then it is time for the public to act. Inform the free and confidential CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555111 when you see a persistently drunk driver-or a dangerous or disqualified driver-at the wheel.


It will be too late after he/she has killed or been killed. Victims families live with the knowledge that had there been no criminal driving there would have been no death.

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6. PRESS FOR RANDOM BREATH TESTING


In countries where an efficient system of random breath testing has been introduced, road deaths have fallen by as much as 30%. These countries include Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia and most states of America.


Past government committees have recommended the introduction of random breath testing and it is supported by many national organisations- including the British Medical Association, the Parliamentary Council on Road Safety, The Association of Police Surgeons of Great Britain and the National Police Chiefs Council. If we could achieve only a 10% cut in casualties in the UK it would make these annual savings:

Lives of 450 people.

5300 serious injuries and the hospital beds occupied by these people.

The cost to society is approximately £2.1 million per fatality**

**Source DfT 2018 tables (Gov.uk

A vast reduction in police time and resources committed to investigation of each collision; the average time spent on investigation of a fatal collision is around 6 months.

Reduction in the total amount of agony and grief caused by road crashes.


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UK ACCIDENT/CASUALTY COSTS £(2018 prices). Source DfT 2018 tables (Gov.uk)
Accident/casualty typeCost per casualityCost per accident
Fatal1,958,3032,196,534
Serious220,058251,458
Slight16,96426,087
Average for all severities70,79198,232
Damage only-2,344

7. FOR YOUR FAMILY YOUR FRIENDS YOUR NEIGHBOURS SET AN EXAMPLE


Persuade people that drink-driving is Socially Unacceptable.


Actions speak louder than words. Your behaviour will clearly support your outrage at this preventable homicide on our roads. Never drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

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8. BE A TRUE FRIEND


Most problem drinkers and drug-takers deny their problems, their fear, their anger, their guilt; and they deny that their impaired driving is a criminal act. If you really want to help when you see your friend has been drinking and wants to drive, say NO! You can also direct them to the government THINK! site using the link below.


When your mind tells you that your friend is capable of blatantly killing other road users, Say SO! If you're convinced that he or she needs help - Say So Now!

MoreLINK TO THINK! WEBSITE

9. SUPPORT CADD'S AIMS


To reduce the misery and suffering caused by drink driving. Many CADD members have experienced a severe sense of injustice from the British legal system heaped upon their grief and physical suffering. We are campaigning for:


Random Breath Testing - If you don't drink drive you have nothing to fear!

Lowering of the alcohol limit.

Surrender of driving licence immediately following result of positive blood test.

Retaking of a driving test - After each driving ban in order to justify restoration of licence.

Stronger enforcement and more consistent penalties for offenders.

Fairer compensation for victims.

Support for the victims of drink/drivers.

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