THIS Christmas, Crimestoppers in Cumbria is encouraging the public to speak up about regular drink driving based on real calls to the charity’s UK Contact Centre.

The temptation to drive whilst over the alcohol limit can increase with Christmas office parties and get-togethers.

The campaign this year is using real-life examples taken from information the charity received at the UK Contact Centre last year including:

• A mum drunk on the school run

• A work colleague regularly driving home drunk after going to the pub from work

Last year (April 17-March 18) Crimestoppers nationally received nearly 14,000 calls and online reports about drink drivers.The Westmorland Gazette:

As a result, there were over 1,500 positive outcomes and actions with at least 150 people arrested and charged.

The campaign is part of a year-long initiative between the PCC, Cumbria Police, and Crimestoppers charity, working in partnership to make Cumbria’s roads safer.

Gary Murray, Regional Manager for the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Drink drivers put other people’s lives at risk and your information could help prevent an accident from happening and could even help save lives.

“We appreciate that if you’re close to someone who gets behind the wheel regularly whilst over the limit, it can be difficult to come forward. It could be a work colleague, a neighbour, or even a family member or a friend. This can explain why some people are reluctant to go to the police because of the fear of being identified.

“By trusting us with your information you’ll remain 100% anonymous."

Peter McCall, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Through this campaign we are really keen to get the message out to people that we all have a personal responsibility to help keep our roads safe.

“It is a sad fact that most accidents are caused by our own unsafe behaviours, such as driving at inappropriate speeds, not wearing seatbelts, driving while drunk or on drugs, or by allowing ourselves to be distracted through using mobile phones and other devices while driving.

“Throughout this campaign we will be working with our partners, local communities and agencies to highlight the many aspects of safer driving."

If you have any information about someone who is a regular drink driver, you can contact the charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the non-traceable online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

***If you see someone attempting to operate a vehicle whilst intoxicated please call 999 as this may require urgent police action.***