Drink driver Danny Holland joins Kent Police campaign after conviction
Drink driver Danny Holland gives a sobering message
A Sittingbourne man caught drink driving just before Christmas
five years ago has put his sobering message on YouTube.
Musician Danny Holland, 26, from Kemsley, had his driving
licence suspended for a year after being convicted of the offence
in 2007.
As part of his sentence, Danny attended a course aimed at
educating people on the effects of alcohol.
He's now helping to launch the Kent Christmas drink/drug drive
campaign by speaking about his experiences and what he has learnt
from them.
But Danny was arrested after downing just TWO PINTS of
alcohol.
He said: “It's become very clear that people believe two pints
is a safe/legal limit to drive on. I thought the same way five
years ago and was convicted.
“People are
shocked when I tell them this.
"I think most people have an image of what a drink driver is and
think they’ll be fine on two pints, it's not like they’re drunk or
anything.
Road safety team leader at Kent County Council, Stephen Horton,
said: “It’s not how much alcohol it takes to make you dangerous,
its how little.
"There is no way to know when you’re over the drink drive limit,
not until you blow into a breathalyser held by a police officer –
and then it’s too late. We’re saying to drivers, ‘is it worth the
risk?’
“Drink driving wrecks lives and not just the driver’s.
"We want to make people think and act positively and to plan
their journey – if you’re drinking don’t drive, if you’re driving
don’t drink.”
“Let’s all have a great Christmas shared with our loved ones.
"Please remember, even one drink will affect your driving and
could make the difference between a happy Christmas and a sad
one.”
Medway Council's portfolio holder for frontline services,
Councillor Phil Filmer, said: “The campaign features a cheerful but
poignant song to be aired on KMFM radio throughout December.
"We hope that it will help remind drivers that having one drink
really isn’t worth the risk.
“With many of us driving around Kent for work or family visits we
would like to keep as many people well and happy this festive
period by continuing to reduce road traffic collisions.”
04/12/12
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