Celebrate Christmas in safety

Ulster Unionist Policing Board member, Leslie Cree MLA, has urged motorists to take extra caution on our roads this Christmas, highlighting the dangers of drink and drug driving.

"Don't risk your neck for the sake of a drink or the taxi fare home," the UUP North Down MLA said.

"While we all want to make the most of the festive season, driving while under the influence is a very short-sighted act. It is unacceptable that, in a six-month period this year, 2,500 drivers were detected for drink-driving.

"Drinking any alcohol - even a small drink - affects your judgment and reactions, and particularly in winter weather, on dark nights, this is a lethal combination. If you want to have a drink, make alternative travel arrangements," Mr Cree said.

"For those who are likely to take drugs over the festive season, it is vital to recognise that they too impact significantly on concentration and reaction times.

"For example, cannabis impairs concentration and can induce drowsiness and disorientation; cocaine can give drivers a feeling of over-confidence, which can lead to aggressive driving and increased risk-taking; ecstasy can distort the driver's vision and affect concentration.

"These are far from conducive to a safe drive home - not just for you, but for other innocent road users.

"Even using prescription medication is a risky business if they warn of the potential for drowsiness or concentration problems. Their legality would be cold comfort if they contributed to an accident of your making," the UUP MLA said.

"Over one hundred people have already lost their lives on Northern Ireland's roads this year. The police have released figures which show that 18 people were killed and 121 others needed hospital treatment last year due to drink or drug driving.

"The families and friends of 104 people lost on our roads will be spending this Christmas and entering a new year without their loved ones. Unfortunately, some of these deaths - nearly a fifth - could have been avoided if people had refused to drink and drive, or to drive after taking drugs.

"It is vital that we drive this message home - you simply cannot get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or taking drugs."