Government's 11-year drink-drive threat

30 May 2008

Campaign highlights long-lasting effects
Drink-drive conviction on licence for 11 years
£1.6 million being spent on adverts

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The Government has launched a £1.6 million advertising campaign highlighting the long-lasting impacts of drink-driving.

It emphasises the fact that a drink-driving conviction stays on a driving licence for 11 years, affecting job prospects and serving as a constant reminder of the minimum 12-month driving ban the offender received for driving while over the limit.

Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: 'Drink drivers put themselves and others in serious danger, but getting behind the wheel after drinking can have a devastating impact on your life even if you avoid a crash. You'll get a minimum 12-month driving ban and a large fine - and the record will stay on your licence for 11 years.'

The campaign also highlights what the average person will do in 11 years. This includes:

• shave 1.72 metres of facial hair
• eat 8034 bananas
• lose £64 in loose change
• spill 54 litres of assorted liquids
• sleep for 22,621 hours
• wear out 26 pairs of shoes
• listen to 19,501 songs
• enjoy 7 months, 2 weeks and 3 days of holiday
• eat 130,198 baked beans
• say hello 55,450 times
• say goodbye 67,320 times
• accidentally squash 5562 insects
• spend 67 hours waiting for your toaster to pop
• go to the loo 12,798 times
• take enough footsteps to reach China
• see 937 cats out of the corner of your eye
• queue for 1006 hours
• change channels on your television 120,223 times.