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Police praise for newspaper's drink-drive campaign

A daily’s hard-hitting campaign to name and shame drink-drivers has been hailed a success by police for “seriously impacting” on motorists.

Last month we reported how the Grimsby Telegraph relaunched its bid to expose drivers caught over the limit on its patch over the summer and give their faces a front page spot.

The campaign was first launched at Christmas 2004 and was later extended to include several weeks every summer.

North East Lincolnshire officer Pc John Mallett has praised the Telegraph for so far featuring 23 drink-drivers since the campaign launch, with more due to follow.

He told the Northcliffe daily: “I want to thank the Telegraph for their continuous support in reducing the number of drink-drivers.

“The name and shame campaign combined with our enforcement and education has seriously impacted on most drivers.

“What causes me the greatest concern is that there are still a number of normally responsible people who are making the irresponsible decision to take a chance and drink and drive.

“I think the challenge for those of us involved in enforcement and education is to impact on this group of people who wouldn’t normally consider drinking and driving, but who make a snap decision after a change in circumstance.

“That decision could not only have a major impact on their lives, but also on the lives of others.”

Comments

Sam Farr (28/09/2009 11:38:25)
After 20 years on a local paper with a staff of 6 photographers, I have spent many hours waiting for convicted drunk drivers to leave the court.
With only two photographers left on the paper now it must be impossible to spare the staff to cover drink drives cases.
I have often argued that if the police see it as such a deterrent once the drunks get a convicted the police should supply their own mug shots.
I know they will argue human rights, but they seem able to supply them in other cases.

Onlooker (28/09/2009 16:38:00)
Why not also picture on your front page anyone convicted of actual dangerous driving/driving without insurance/driving without due care and attention, too ? If not, why not ? This smacks of being too eager to go along with the police PR machine.