Llanelli Scarlets back council drink-drive campaign

Llanelli Scarlets are backing the Carmarthenshire County Council-led campaign to tackle drink driving this Christmas.
Hooker Ken Owens and outside half Rhys Patchell joined Carmarthenshire County Council Leader Cllr Emlyn Dole to launch the seasonal campaign at Parc y Scarlets.
It is part of the council’s efforts to promote road safety across the county.
It follows the success of Imogen Williams, a pupil at Coedcae School, Llanelli, who was highly commended in the All Wales Drink and Drug Driving Campaign Poster Competition. She received a cheque for £50 and received a framed certificate and an art set.
Carmarthenshire’s road safety unit is focusing on raising awareness of the consequences of drink-driving using sporting analogies such as ‘Give Drink-Driving the Red Card’, ‘Kick Drink-Driving into Touch’, ‘Blow the Whistle on Drink-Driving.’
A social media campaign is being run to raise awareness of this campaign.
Don’t fall foul of the drink-drive rules this Christmas – visit Carmarthenshire Road Safety social media channels on Facebook @CarmarthenshireRoadSafety Twitter @CarmsRoadSafety or Instagram @CarmarthenshireRoadSafety for more information. There is also a video available to view on the council’s social channels, which gives an idea of how long it would take people to get alcohol out of their system.
A person can easily still be over the limit the morning after the night before - it can take over 12-hours to be alcohol free after drinking one bottle of 15 per cent wine and around 13 hours after drinking four pints of 5.5 per cent lager or ale.
Police forces are cracking down on drivers who get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs ahead of the festive season. Nearly 23,000 motorists were breathalysed during the operation last December.
Cllr Emlyn Dole said: “I’m pleased to have been able to join the Scarlets to launch this vital campaign to discourage drink driving and save lives over Christmas and the New Year.”
Executive Board Member for environment Cllr Hazel Evans said: “If caught the next morning, motorists face the same consequences as if they had been caught the night before. Even if you are under the limit, you can still be charged with impairment through drink if stopped by police.
“Don’t drink and drive – you’re running a significantly increased risk of killing an innocent person, or yourself.”
Causing death by dangerous driving whilst under the influence carries a penalty of up to 14 years in jail and a minimum two year driving ban.

Don’t pay the penalty
The likelihood of being caught is now greater than ever before. Police will breathalyse any driver who:

• Has been stopped for any moving traffic offence (e.g. using a mobile phone, a faulty brake light, not wearing a seatbelt)
• They suspect has been drinking
• Has been involved in an accident

Driving or attempting to drive whilst over the limit will result in:

• Loss of licence – an automatic minimum 12 month driving ban
• A risk of being fined up to £5,000
• A criminal record
• An offence which stays on your licence for 11 years

Having a criminal record can really impact on peoples’ lives, affecting:

• Relationships
• Job prospects
• Travel – e.g. to USA
• Insurance premiums, which can triple
• Hiring a car
• Social standing