DRIVERS learned about the perils of drink driving at the town's annual drink drive event last weekend.

Organised by PCSO Danielle Moore-Dunstan with assistance from PCSO Becky Tolley, the event in Waitrose's car park on Saturday kicked off the Christmas drink drive campaign.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were present, displaying their Mitsubishi EVO boy-racer car and a VW driving simulator, which monitors the ability to judge speed and braking distances of drivers impaired by alcohol and distracted by loud music and conversation.

Visitors could also try out simple tasks while wearing 'beer goggles'.

The dangerous ramifications of drink-driving were made clear with the display of a crashed car, wrecked in an accident caused by drink-driving.

PCSO Danielle Moore-Dunstan said: 'It was a success and many of the local residents attended and gave feedback on local issues and concerns. We were busy over the lunchtime period and lots of people tried the beer goggles, that vary in strength to give people the effect once they are under the influence of alcohol.

'Even a simple task of shape sorting made people realise how their vision, speed and reactions are impaired through drink.'

This year, Devon and Cornwall Police are releasing dramatic footage of a collision caused by drink-driving as part of its Christmas campaign to curb drink driving.

Inspector Richard Pryce, head of roads policing said: 'The devastation caused by drink driving can be seen clearly in the CCTV footage.

'There was a group of people stood outside a pub just moments before the crash and it is a miracle that no-one was killed and only one person was injured.

'The number of people who are killed or seriously injured by a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs is much too high and can be reduced.

'Someone who is caught drink driving faces losing their livelihood, a driving ban, a hefty fine or spending time in prison.'

Devon and Cornwall Police will be carrying out roadside checks in the evenings and early mornings, and continue to breathalyse all drivers involved in any kind of collision, and any motorists they suspect may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

PCSO Moore-Dunstan expressed her thanks to Waitrose and West Devon Borough Council for the use of the car park, community partnership safety officer Louisa Wall, Highfields Recovery for providing the crashed car, and Bob Sturtivant, Alan Kyle, Teresa, Scott and Nick from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.