FOOTBALL fans across the Isle of Man are being warned not to drink and drive.

The Department of Infrastructure’s road safety unit has brought forward its annual anti-drink drive campaign to coincide with the World Cup.
Anyone prosecuted for the offence could face a 12-month ban, a fine of up to ?5,000 and up to six months in prison.

The department and police are concerned the excitement caused by the World Cup could lead to an increase in the amount of people drinking
and in turn drink-driving.

Even one drink can affect a drivers' reaction time and their judgement of traffic conditions.

The department will be running a campaign throughout the tournament asking ‘Where will you be watching the World Cup - prison or hospital?’

The aims of the campaign are to increase awareness of the dangers of having a couple of drinks and driving, to educate drivers
that they can’t calculate their alcohol limit, to shake drivers confidence about their own ‘rule of thumb’ of what’s safe to drink and drive and to get drivers to think about the consequences of being caught.

Minister for Infrastructure Phil Gawne MHK said: "Let’s all enjoy the World Cup and give drink-driving the boot by planning your return journey before you leave home so that you are not tempted to drink and drive.
"We all want to have a good time cheering on our favourite team, but the advice to motorists is, if you are going to drink.
leave your car at home."

Drivers should also be aware that if they have been drinking, they may still be affected by alcohol
the following day.

They may feel fine but they could still be over the limit. Drivers cannot calculate their own drink-drive limit and so the only safe option is not to drink and drive.

Sargent Dave Dobbie of the roads policing unit said: ‘Let’s all remember the World Cup for the football and not as the time you lost your licence due to a drink-drive conviction.'

Minister for Infrastructure Phil Gawne MHK launches the drink-drive campaign