[18 December 2007]

Be safe on the roads this Christmas

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, Sussex Police and the Safer Wealden Partnerships Road Safety Action Group are working together on a seasonal initiative, which hopes to reduce drink driving in the Wealden area.

The initiative is scheduled to run until the end of January 2008 and involves East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service working closely with police officers, who pull over drivers for routine alcohol checks. Subject to a successful pass, motorists are referred to East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service personnel, who deliver hard-hitting roadside education messages, tailored to deal with the many factors that cause accidents, including alcohol.

Two recent events in Heathfield and Forest Row, have seen eighty motorists stopped and two subsequently arrested by Sussex Police. Station Manager, Matt Elder from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service said; "The Fire & Rescue Service is now called to deal with more death and injury from road traffic collisions than from fires. It makes sense therefore, to direct resources towards preventing such incidents."

The Safer Wealden Partnership Road Safety Action Group includes representatives from many relevant authorities including East Sussex County Council Road Safety Team, Wealden District Council, East Sussex Downs & Weald, Hastings & Rother Primary Care Trust, Sussex Police and East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service.

Inspector Steve Grace from the Traffic Policing Unit at Polegate Police Station also commented. He said; " East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service will be on hand to discuss safety issues with motorists who may have had a drink but are not over the limit. Far too many people still believe that having a couple of drinks is safe and will not put them over the limit. They are wrong. Drinking any alcohol will affect a driver's ability to drive safely and even one drink can put someone over the limit. Anyone stopped over the limit or under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be arrested and can expect to lose their licence for a minimum of a year."