DRIVERS in Somerset are being urged to have "none for the road" following the release of shocking drink drive statistics.

Figures released by the Department of Transport show an estimated 1,370 people were killed or seriously injured in drink drive related crashes in 2015 - that's an average of almost four a day.

Although the number of fatalities has decreased slightly, alcohol is still estimated to have been a factor in 200 deaths.

Cllr John Woodman, Somerset County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “These figures once again show us that drink driving puts your life and the lives of other road users at risk.

"I urge all drivers to steer clear of alcohol if you are driving or riding. Our message is very clear – stay safe and have none for the road."

Remember:

  • Alcohol is a confidence booster that can trick you into thinking you’re safe to drive when the chances are you probably aren’t.
  • Everybody processes alcohol at a different rate depending on their size, age or level of fitness, so it’s not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the legal limit to drive.
  • A great number of drink drive collisions happen within three miles of the start of the journey, so the excuse of ‘I’m only nipping down the road’ is not a valid one.
  • Take care the morning after a night out drinking, as you could still be over the legal limit to drive.
  • The only thing that will remove alcohol from the blood stream is time – commonly held beliefs that a cup of coffee, a cold shower or a big fried breakfast will sober you up are false.

If you’re going out for a drink, then you should plan how you are going to get home safely - pre-book a taxi or designate a driver before you go out.

Never get in a car with someone you know to have been drinking and never offer an alcoholic drink to someone you know to be driving.

The penalties for being convicted of drink driving are severe:

  • A minimum 12 month driving ban;
  • A criminal record;
  • A hefty fine;
  • Up to six months in prison;
  • An endorsement on your licence for 11 years.