This year's Christmas anti drink-drive campaign was launched this morning at the Sea Terminal in Douglas.
The message of the 2009 campaign, a joint initiative between the Department of Transport’s Road Safety Unit and the Isle of Man Constabulary, is simple: don’t drink and drive this Christmas and New Year.
A series of cartoon images has been chosen to illustrate the message, with the tagline ‘Booze, choose or lose.’
The ‘booze’ cartoon includes men and women out drinking and having fun during the festive period, ‘choose’ shows taxi’s and buses which they should take on their way home or into work the next day. The ‘lose’ image shows a person being escorted into the back of a police van after they have chosen to drive.
Member for Highways, David Quirk MHK said, "You may have only had one or two drinks but even a small amount of alcohol can affect a person’s ability to drive safely.
"If you drink and drive you are taking a massive risk and face prosecution from the Police or worse endangering your own life and the lives of innocent people.
"We are asking all motorists this year to choose to take public transport when going to Christmas parties, visiting relatives or just going out for a few drinks to avoid being stopped for drink-driving."
The Road Safety team will be out and about at various locations around the Island during the Christmas period to encourage motorists to take heed of the anti-drink drive message.
Chief Constable Mike Langdon said, "Once again, this campaign highlights the risks involved when people drink and drive. Not only do people risk losing their license and maybe their jobs but there is also the risk of serious injury or worse.
"The Isle of Man Constabulary will provide high profile policing in conjunction with the Department of Transport over the period to educate drivers and identify suspected drink drivers. I sincerely hope that the public appreciate this and have a safe and enjoyable Christmas period."
The penalties for drinking and driving are severe and include a fine of up to ?5,000, a disqualification and a possible prison sentence. The cost of insurance will also rise and the offender will have to retake their driving test.
The Isle of Man operates a reciprocal agreement so that any driving ban enforced on the Island will also apply in the UK.
Inspector Will Campbell added, "Persons arrested and charged with drink drive offences during the drink drive campaign will be fast tracked through the Court system.
"Any person arrested and charged will either be kept in Police Custody overnight or bailed to attend court the following day. If at court the offender is not dealt with straight away, the court have the power to stipulate that they cannot drive whilst their case is pending.
"The message is clear, if you drink and drive justice will be swift but your progress won’t be."
Radio adverts will play a large part in the campaign this year, with different messages going out to motorists at key times of the day.
Mr Quirk continued, "Even the morning after your night out you may still be over the legal limit for driving. Ensure that you are complying with the law by taking the bus or a taxi to work.
"Make sure that you don’t ruin your Christmas, if you booze, choose to take public transport or risk losing your licence or your life."
