Christmas songs used in drink-driving campaign

The campaign runs until 1 January

A police force is using Christmas songs as part of its annual anti-drink and drug-driving campaign over the festive period.

The Gloucestershire Road Safety Partnership includes Gloucestershire Constabulary, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue Service and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Songs chosen for the campaign include two versions of Jingle Bells - Siren Bells and Driving Through the Snow - and Away in the Police Car, based on Away in a Manger.

The campaign will run until 1 January

Last December, police said they arrested 122 people in Gloucestershire for alcohol and/or drug-related driving offences.

Of those, 104 were aged 25 or over, with 99 men and 23 women arrested.

Ninety-one gave a home address within the county.

Driving Through The Snow uses the Jingle Bells tune

A spokesperson said the three key messages were "awareness, the morning after and drug-driving".

Supt Jessica Loxley-Clark, head of specialist operations, said: "Drink or drug-driving will not be tolerated here in Gloucestershire.

"We will be conducting roadside operations across the county, including those focusing on the morning after."

She urged drivers to remember that drugs, whether they are illegal or prescribed, can remain in the body for many weeks after being taken which can cause a massive risk to both drivers and other road users.

Plan ahead

Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson said: "This should be a happy time of year and we don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun but I fully support the proactive work of the constabulary to catch those who do choose to flout the law by drinking and driving on our roads this Christmas.

"The RoadPeace service in Minchinhampton last month, remembering everyone killed on the roads, was a solemn reminder of the need for all road users to be responsible," he added.

Supt Loxley-Clark said people should plan ahead and think about how they would get home from festive events.

“Do not take the risk - it could cost lives," she added.