WITH the festive celebrations fast approaching, Wiltshire Police are drawing the public's attention, once again, towards the dangers of drink-driving and the consequences of ignoring their advice.

This year, the national theme continues to tackle the assumption that it is safe to drive having had only a couple of drinks and the excuses drivers give, in attempting to justify this action.

The objective of the campaign remains the same as in previous years to reduce the number of drink-drive related road casualties.

National advertising will feature a series of Think! commercials on television, showing scenes illustrating the consequences of drink-driving featuring this year's theme.

Wiltshire Constabulary's road safety officer, Sergeant Dave Melvin, said: "All too often, after someone has been seriously injured or killed, drivers fail breath tests and upon being arrested, say 'I only had a couple I thought I'd be OK.'

"They find little sympathy from anyone else after the event and clearly regret their actions but by then of course, it is too late. Even for those who are fortunate enough not to injure or kill anyone, a conviction for drink-driving can result in the driver losing his or her job, quite apart from the tough penalties handed down by the courts.

"It just isn't worth it and our plea is don't risk it."

Sgt Melvin feels that it is imp-ortant to dispel the idea that with one or two drinks drivers will still be able to drive safely and stay within the legal limit.

"The point about the drink-drive limit is that there really is no fail-safe guide as to how much you can drink and stay under the limit," he said.

"The amount and type of alcoholic drink, a person's weight, sex, age and metabolism are all variable factors in individual cases. The safest amount of alcohol to drink if you are driving is nothing at all."

Campaign of shame

THIS Christmas the Wiltshire Times is again joining forces with Wiltshire police in urging all drivers to think about the damaging effects drink-driving can have on real lives.

Over the past 12 we have named and shamed nearly 100 drivers who broke the law and put the lives of innocent people in west and north Wiltshire at risk.

Drink-drivers face prison sentences of up to six months, minimum 12-month driving bans and fines of up to £6,000.

Weight, height, gender and food consumption can all affect the level of alcohol in the body.

In a recent survey, half of people questioned mistakenly believed a double shot of vodka (two units) contained more alcohol than a pint of 5.8 per cent lager (three units).