Random checks to form part of Christmas Drink Drive campaign

Police across the Causeway Coast and Glens will be using new legislation to conduct random breath checks

Police across the Causeway Coast and Glens will be using new legislation to conduct random breath checks at vehicle checkpoints in the run up to Christmas.

It’s all part of the annual winter drink drive campaign. 

Inspector John Millar said: “This new legislation gives police another tool that will hopefully help us prevent people taking life-threatening, unacceptable, and simply stupid risks. There is no such thing as a safe limit as just one drink can impair ability to drive. 

“Previously, police officers needed a reasonable suspicion about the manner of someone’s driving, have seen a moving traffic offence, or been called to a collision before requiring a preliminary breath test from a driver. The new legislation means we can now establish vehicle checkpoints solely for the purpose of carrying out random breath tests, something which we hope will act as an even more visible, physical deterrent.” 

“Our aim with this operation is to keep people safe. People need to put as much effort into planning how to get home safely, as they do planning their night out. I do not want police officers knocking on doors at any time of the year, but especially over Christmas and the New Year, to tell families that a loved one has been killed on the roads.”

Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership Chairperson Alderman William King, added: “The PCSP is fully supportive of this campaign and the PSNI’s zero tolerance approach to drink driving at any time of year. I welcome this new legislation to help prevent injury or loss of life on our roads.”