Somerset Council’s Public Health Team is working in partnership with Somerset Road Safety and Avon and Somerset Police to raise awareness about the dangers of drink and drug driving.

The initiative involves newly created pocket-sized information cards to be distributed across the county highlighting the risks and signposting people to local drugs and alcohol support.

The collaboration comes in the lead up to the festive period when there is normally a spike in drink and drug related road incidents and coincides with other campaign activity locally and nationally.

The information card is being distributed across Somerset to schools, colleges, health centres, custody suites and other public places.

Somerset Council’s Public Health Team worked with Somerset Drugs and Alcohol Service (SDAS) to develop the card and messages with the aim of signposting people to support and raise awareness around the many health issues surrounding alcohol and drug use including drink and drug driving.

The campaign is supported by the Council’s Road Safety Team and Avon and Somerset Police who are involved in a raft of awareness raising and enforcement activities around drink and drug driving throughout the year.

The card also includes messaging developed by the Police and Road Safety teams in line with the ongoing Fatal Five campaign which highlights the key five behaviours which can lead to serious and fatal collisions, which include drink and drug driving.

Councillor Graham Oakes, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Public Health, Climate Change and Environment, said:

This partnership working approach helps to spread the word about the risks and dangers associated with alcohol and/or drug misuse. Somerset has a wide range of support available for those that are struggling themselves or may be concerned about a loved one.

By working with partners across the system such as the police and ambulance service, we are able to get this important message to more people and in turn help save lives.

Chief Inspector Robert Cheeseman, Head of Roads Policing and Road Safety, said:

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly increases the likelihood of being involved in a collision. Alcohol and drugs impair essential aspects of driving, including speed and distance judgment, reaction times, and coordination. They can also create a false sense of confidence, leading to increased risk-taking behaviour. There is no safe level of alcohol or drug consumption for driving – and absolutely no excuse for doing it.

Our officers will be proactively patrolling throughout December to identify and stop dangerous drivers before they can cause harm. We urge the public to support this effort by reporting suspected drink or drug drivers. If you know someone who regularly drives under the influence of drink or drugs, please call 101 or report it online.

Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to the Independent Charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. If it’s happening now, always call 999. Your action could save lives.

The Fatal Five behaviours are:

• Speeding
• Not wearing a seatbelt
• Distractions such as a mobile phone
• Drink and drug driving
• Careless driving

If you spot someone driving under the influence then report it to Avon and Somerset Police via their Drink and drug driving page or call 101. If it’s happening in the moment, call 999. Alternatively, you can anonymously call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111.

Find drinking and drug advice and support at SDAS  which offers free, confidential support and treatment for those struggling with alcohol and drugs. For free advice call 0300 303 8788 on their 24/7 referral phoneline or visit the Turning Point website.

To find out more about the Fatal Five behaviours, visit the Council’s Somerset Road Safety campaign page.