Summertime drink drive crack-down underway

And they are asking motorists to text them details of suspected drink drivers.

Drink or drive - that is the message this summer from Sussex Police and its partner agencies.

This week sees the start of the annual summer drink-drive campaign which will see a month of targeted action against those who drink and drive.

Superintendent Tony Blaker of Sussex Police’s Road Policing Unit said: “Too often people are still choosing to drink and drive, even though they are aware of the dangers they are putting themselves and others in.

“As part of this campaign I am encouraging people to tell us about people they believe to be drink-driving.

“If you know that someone is drink-driving how would you feel if they ended up in a collision which killed or seriously injured themselves or even someone else?”

Mobile phone users can report people they think are drink-driving, or about to drink-drive, by text message to the number 65999.

Supt Blaker said: “If you are in a situation where you don’t feel that you can make a phone call to police you can now text the details of the suspected drink-driver to us instead.

“This text will be received by on-duty road policing officers who can follow up the information. In order for this to be as effective we need as much information as possible about the drink-driver.”

Information should include the person’s name if it is known, the car make, model and registration, the current location and the direction of travel.

Phil Henty, Operations Manager for the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, said: “Drinking and driving is a factor in more crashes in the summer months than during the Christmas period. The Jubilee, Olympics and Euro 2012 may also increase the temptation to have a drink and then drive. We urge all drivers not mix the two and help to reduce the number of casualties on our roads this summer.”

Throughout the campaign targeted action will take place across the county which will include both covert and overt checks.

As well as through text messages drink-driving can be reported to Sussex Police on 101 or 999 if the activity is currently taking place.