Ewloe pupil wins prize for designing all Wales Christmas anti-drink driving campaign poster

A primary school pupil from Flintshire has won a prize for designing one of the posters to promote the All Wales Christmas Anti-Drink Driving campaign.

Headteacher Miss McGill, Councillor Bernie Attridge, award winner Charlie Ellis and Clare Parry, Flintshire Road Safety

This year’s campaign was launched on Tuesday 3 December warning motorists of the dangers of drinking and driving.

To help promote the campaign a competition was held for all schools across Wales to design a poster to discourage drivers from drinking during the festive period.

Ten–year old Charlie Ellis, a pupil at Penarlag County Primary School in Ewloe, was the winner of the North Wales region and his poster will appear in all licensed premises this Christmas. 

Flintshire County Council Deputy Leader Councillor Bernie Attridge, presented Charlie with his prize at the school. He said:

“Charlie’s design has won one of the regional awards. His poster gives a strong message to the public and the competition raises awareness of the dangers of drink-driving from an early age. Flintshire County Council supports every measure taken by North Wales Police to stop anyone who drinks and drives.” 

Despite desperate attempts and numerous campaigns, drink-driving remains to be a sad fact of life and once more the four Welsh forces will have a coordinated approach in trying to eradicate the continuing problem of drink driving. 

There will be a zero tolerance approach throughout the country, both pre and post Christmas, extending into the New Year and police will carry out road checks during morning periods and will breathalyse drivers who may be over the limit from drinking the night before. 

North Wales Police will be rigorously supporting the campaign throughout December. A spokesperson said:

“Drivers who have consumed alcohol and then choose to drive their vehicles can expect to be breathalysed if stopped by the North Wales Police. It is a sad fact that people are still losing their lives on our roads because of irresponsible drivers who continue to drive when under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you are going to have a drink, then don’t drive. This is as much about education as enforcement. If we can get people to understand that to consume any alcohol or take any controlled drug and then drive a motor vehicle makes them a potential killer. It is not worth the risk.”

The Winning Poster

The Road Safety Unit at Flintshire County Council has this advice for people celebrating over the festive period: 

• Even the smallest amount of alcohol can affect a driver’s skill without them realising, awareness will decrease and reactions will be slow. Limits have been set as to how      much a driver can drink lawfully, but everyone is different and as a result there is no safe limit of alcohol that can be taken before driving.
• If you’re hosting a party at home – be responsible. Do not offer alcohol to anyone who is driving. 
• Plan a night out in advance. If you have to take the car, stick to non-alcoholic or soft drinks or arrange for someone who is not drinking to drive. If possible take a taxi or use public transport. 
• If you have been drinking of an evening you may well be affected by alcohol the next day. Consider using another method of transport until you are certain that you no longer have any alcohol in your system.