December 18, 2017 10.02 am This story is over 75 months old

First people named and shamed in police drink driving campaign

Why risk it?
| Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The first set of names has been released by Lincolnshire Police of people charged with drink driving as part of a winter campaign.

The force will release the identities of anyone charged with being under the influence of drink or drugs, before their case has been heard in court.

Lincolnshire Police hopes the move will make people think twice before getting behind the wheel.

Charged with driving a motor vehicle when above the alcohol limit on December 16 and 17 were:

  • 38-year-old Simon Born, of Springbank Drive, Bourne. He was arrested in Bourne and will appear at Boston Magistrates on January 10.
  • 24-year-old Sam Calvert, of Stickney, Boston. He was arrested in Conningsby and will appear at Boston Magistrates on January 17.
  • 42-year-old Joe Meinedo, of Larch Close, Grantham. He was arrested in Grantham and will appear at Lincoln Magistrates on January 15.
  • 28-year-old Arturs Jasvins, of Boultham Park Road, Lincoln. He was arrested in Lincoln and will appear at Lincoln Magistrates on January 15.
  • 32-year-old Wayne Copeland, of Devon Road, Newark on Trent, Newark. He was arrested in Graby and will appear at Lincoln Magistrates on January 15.

Lincolnshire Police made over 1,000 arrests for drink driving in the last year and over 150 arrests for driving under the influence of drugs.

Some 70% of those people were charged.

Inspector Ewan Gell from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Drink driving is still a problem in Lincolnshire but we are very good at catching offenders. I sincerely hope we don’t have to name a single person over these two weeks.

“Driving under the influence can be deadly, claims and ruins lives but is easily avoidable.

“Do not consume a drop if you are driving and be wary the morning after as you could still be over the limit.

“If we pull you over the consequences could be a losing your licence, a criminal record or even a prison sentence.”

John Siddle from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership added: “The knock-on effects will be loss of job, possible loss of home (who pays the mortgage) car insurance increase, possibly a re-sit of the driving test.

“Despite this some people still choose to drink or drug drive, so I welcome Lincolnshire police’s decision to name those charged with driving whilst impaired, through drink or drugs, which adds to the list of deterrents already in place.”

Do you think the campaign is a good idea? Let us know in the comments section below.