• Community Safety
• Firesetter Intervention Schemes
• Road Safety
  • FireBike
  • Drink/Drug Driving
  • New Driver Awareness
  • Operation Crackdown
  • Safe Drive Stay Alive
  • Tyre Safety
• Arson Reduction
• Reducing False Alarms
• Black Museum
• Community Safety Diary
• Education & Intervention
  • Schools fire education
  • Kids Zone
  • LIFE Project
  • Coaching for a safer community
• Fire Safety at Home
• Storage of petrol

There's always an alternative

Most drink drivers don't plan to break the law. Make sure you don't become another statistic; here are some ways to avoid drinking and driving:

• Book a taxi. To make sure you get one, book it as early as in the evening.
• At the start of the night agree who's driving and not drinking.
• Use public transport routes to help you get home.
• If you're at a friends house, stay overnight.
• Don't get into a car driven by someone else who's been drinking.

And the morning after

Dont' rush to get behind the wheel the morning after you've been out drinking.

You may feel fine but you could still be over the legal alcohol limit or unfit to drive.

A cold shower. a cup of coffee or any of the other myths about 'sobering up' won't make you fit to drive any quicker.

It just takes time to get the alcohol out of your system.

Drink/Drug Driving

It is an offence to drive whilst unfit through alcohol or drugs.

The police are on the lookout now more than ever and aside from just erratic driving beahviour, know all the signs to spot a drink or drug driver.

The effects of drugs and alcohol on your driving can include:

• Slower reactions
• Reduced field of vision
• Poorer judgement of speed and distance
• Overconfidence and increased risk taking
• Aggressive manoeuvres
• Erratic driving
• Distraction and drowsiness

Penalties may include:

• A court conviction
• A fine of up to £5,000
• A driving ban of at least 12 months
• An endorsement on your driving licence for 11 years
• A criminal record