Shocking CCTV shows drink driver smashing into pub as police launch Christmas campaign
Shocking footage of a Devon drink driver smashing into a pub and badly injuring another man has been released as police try to stop people from drinking and driving this Christmas.
The campaign, which will run throughout December, is aimed at highlighting the damage that can be caused by drink driving and reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
Some viewers may find this footage distressing
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The CCTV footage shows a car, driven by a man who had been drinking, crashing into the Three Elms pub in Brixham and seriously injuring landlord Kevin O’Neill.
The driver, Leigh Brennan, 45 and from Brixham, lost control of his Volvo in March this year as he drove through the town at 60mph and crashed into the porch of the pub.
The landlord was standing in the doorway and suffered a crushed pelvis, broken ribs and spinal injuries after being buried under masonry.
In July the driver received a 12-month prison sentence and was banned for driving for two years.
Inspector Richard Pryce, head of roads policing said: “The devastation caused by drink driving can be seen clearly in the CCTV footage. There was a group of people stood outside the pub just moments before the crash and it is a miracle that no-one was killed and only one person was injured.
“The number of people who are killed or seriously injured by a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs is much too high and can be reduced.
“If you drink and drive your chances of getting caught by police are high and the consequences are life changing. As well as the potentially tragic consequences, someone who is caught drink driving faces losing their livelihood, a driving ban, a hefty fine or spending time in prison.”
Officers in Devon and Cornwall will be carrying out roadside checks in the evenings and early mornings. They will also continue to breathalyse all drivers involved in any kind of collision and any motorists whose driving may lead them to suspect they are under the influence of drink or drugs.
“We will not tolerate drink driving at any time of the year but we will ensure close attention is being paid over the festive period. The message is simple: don’t drink and drive,” added Insp Pryce.
“We urge people to think about how they are going to get home after they have been drinking and make arrangements before they go out. If you know someone is drink driving, we do encourage you to do the responsible thing and report it to the police.
“If someone is drinking and driving now, call 999. To report someone who regularly drinks and drives, call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
The Force campaign is linked to the national campaign launched by the Department for Transport’s THINK! and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
The ACPO anti-drink and drug driving campaign warns young drivers and people driving the morning after a night of drinking about the huge risk they pose.
Comments
by olddogbreath
Friday, November 30 2012, 8:03PM
“If I attacked someone with an iron bar whilst I was drunk and they were injured, then I would get a long prison sentence. The excuse of being drunk would not apply as I ought to have realised, what my actions would have been, had I taken a drink. That is the drink, is irrelevant to my actions.
Why is it therefore, that despite warnings of the effects of drink driving, (there are no public campaigns of the effects of drinking whilst handling an iron bar), I get a minor sentence when in control of a 'motorised' iron bar? The leniency of the law towards the drunk driver does not deter and makes one really wonder on the legitimacy of sentencing guidelines.”
by Kwacker10R
Friday, November 30 2012, 12:23PM
“This is such a lenient sentence! A biker got caught speeding, never hurt a soul and got six months inside, two year ban and £1000 cocts. This sentence is just a joke!!”
by MissAnthrope
Friday, November 30 2012, 11:36AM
“Silly person should have left his car keys at home and enjoyed an even bigger skin full. Then on the way home he could have kicked a few bins over, smashed a shop window, had a fight and then vomited in a bus stop, just like so many of the other customers regularly welcomed into pubs throughout the land.”
by PL1Plym
Friday, November 30 2012, 10:28AM
“They do things a little different in Australia. They have drive through "Bottle Shops" (Off Licences) Still amuses me the irony of it! Surprisingly they still have a big problem with drink driving.”
by bill12a
Friday, November 30 2012, 8:55AM
“As I understand it the driving ban starts immediately. If a prison sentence is given the ban should either be increased to include the period of being sent to prison or start when released.”
by josdave
Friday, November 30 2012, 8:49AM
“Why a 5 year ban why not life? This idiot is clearly not fit to be in control of such a lethal machine as a motor car.”
by Alpha1
Friday, November 30 2012, 8:31AM
“Only a 2year ban, why not a 5year ban? For this man.”