HC Deb 14 November 1985 vol 86 cc264-5W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider introducing drink-drive campaigns throughout the year rather than just for the Christmas period.

Mrs. Chalker

Drinking and driving is a problem throughout the year, and publicity on the subject should not be confined to the Christmas period. As a first stage, I intend that a further campaign takes place during the spring or early summer of next year.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he has decided what form his Department's drink-drive campaign will take during the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what plans he has for combating drinking and driving during the Christmas period; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

A publicity campaign will commence early in December and will run until the new year. Prepared in close consultation with the police, the campaign will emphasise the threat posed by the drinking driver to the safety of the public and will make clear why we need a strict law to counter this threat. It will leave no one in any doubt that the police have every intention of enforcing the law firmly, not just at Christmas but throughout the year and will remind drivers of the serious penalties they face on conviction.