Police Take On Drink-Driving Crisis in Nottingham
Nottingham city centre saw a powerful police stunt last night, banging home the dangers of drink-driving ahead of the festive season. Officers hit the streets with interactive ‘beer goggles’ to show just how alcohol warps your perception behind the wheel.
Try the Goggles, Take the Breathalyser
Passersby were invited to don the distorting goggles and experience breathalyser tests for themselves. They were also urged to watch a heartfelt interview with Clair Osborne, a Nottinghamshire woman whose husband was killed by a drunk van driver.
“It’s an issue we highlight throughout the year, but especially over the festive period because people tend to go to Christmas parties and they are maybe tempted to drink and drive,” said Inspector John Lees, who organised the event in Trinity Square.
“We want to send out the message that it is not safe, it is a crime and it affects people’s lives. It causes tragedies and we don’t want that to happen.”
Festive Crackdown: The ‘A Deadly Mix’ Campaign
- Friday night’s roadshow kicked off a series of events running through December, with more at Trinity Square on 10th, 17th, and 23rd December, 6pm-8pm.
- Events feature the East Midlands Ambulance Service, Special Constables, police officers, and PCSOs.
- Thousands of posters and beermats warning against drink-driving are now plastered across Nottinghamshire pubs.
- Nottingham City Transport buses carry stark anti-drink-driving ads as part of the campaign.
- Force-wide crackdowns target drink and drug drivers to keep roads safer.
Sergeant Shakeel Rasul, one of the campaign planners, said: “Every year we carry out proactive operations to catch those who put lives at risk by drink-driving. These operations are continuing but we also recognise the value in educating people and that is what this campaign is about.”
Victim’s Family Plea: ‘Plan Your Journey’
Clair Osborne, 48, from Mansfield Woodhouse, lost her husband in 2021 because of a drunk driver. She’s now urging partygoers to plan their way home.
“If you’ve got work dos or Christmas parties planned, that’s the key word – they are planned. Plan your taxi, plan your lift home. If you’re driving and anybody tries to tempt you to have a drink, just ask yourself is it worth it?”
“I have to see what it’s done to my children every day because someone decided to drink-drive.”
With Christmas parties on the rise, Nottinghamshire Police want drivers to think twice before risking lives on the road. The grim message is clear: don’t drink and drive – or pay the deadly price.
