MORE than 80 traffic collisions a year on Devon’s roads involve someone who has been drink driving, new figures have revealed.

The figures have been released by Devon County Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service as the Christmas party season gets underway.

The police are planning to step up patrols countywide in the mornings, when many risk driving while alcohol is still in their system, and late at night, targeting those who get behind the wheel after a night out.

And both traffic police and neighbourhood police are planning a series of unannounced swoops to target drink, drug and irresponsible drivers across the county.

There are an annual average of 83 collisions involving someone under the influence of alcohol, representing around 5% of all collisions reported to the police in Devon and between 2013 and 2017 there were nine fatal collisions in the county where drink driving was a contributory factor.

People who are planning a night out in the run up to Christmas are being urged to plan in advance how they will get home without driving — whether by agreeing a designated driver, using public transport or organising overnight accommodation.

The penalties for a drink driving conviction include a criminal record, a minimum 12 month driving ban, a hefty fine, up to six months in prison and an endorsement on your licence for 11 years.

Refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis can also lead to a prison sentence, an unlimited fine or a driving ban for at least one year. Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink may lead to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine and a ban from driving for at least two years with an extended driving test before your licence is returned.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet member for highway management, said: ‘It’s shocking to think that drink driving still accounts for any collisions on the county’s roads when it could so easily be avoided. If you are driving, the safest thing to do is to have none for the road. We are continuing to work closely with our partner agencies on this because there are no excuses for drink driving. People should be aware of the severe penalties that exist but the consequences are more far-reaching than a fine or driving ban. It could result in an increase in car insurance costs, or the loss of your job.’

Inspector Peter Thomas, of the Devon-wide Alliance Roads Policing Team said: ‘If police think you are unfit to drive through consumption of alcohol, even if your breath test registers lower than the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, you can still be arrested and may be charged with an offence. In short, you do not have to be drunk to be a drink driver. This applies particularly to the morning after a drinking session. Don’t risk it.

‘It’s not just you that’s at risk. You could kill or seriously injure another person. Drink and drug driving destroys people’s lives and those of their families.’

Dan Lester, from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: ‘It’s the time of year when people are looking forward to Christmas festivities, works parties and spending time with family and friends. If you’re going out for drinks then please make a plan, in advance, that will allow you to get home safely and leave your car behind.

‘Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service will continue to work alongside our colleagues in Devon County Council road safety teams and the police to provide help and education to members of the public in order to keep them safer on the roads. Have a lovely Christmas but please be safe.’