DRIVING safely on country roads and the morning after the night before will be the focus of a drink driving campaign by the fire service and police in North Devon this Christmas — with events being held in Holsworthy and Hatherleigh.

Devon and Somerset fire and Rescue Service will be bringing a driving simulator to a number of community markets, light switch on events, town squares and supermarket car parks, with the aim of demonstrating the risks and affects of alcohol on driving while also offering road safety advice.

There will be three events held in the Post area. Two will be held in Holsworthy, the first will be on Saturday, December 10, at the Waitrose car park from 3pm to 8pm.

The second will be held during market day in the town square on Wednesday, December 14, from 8.45am to 2pm.

Hatherleigh will also have a chance to try out the driving simulator when the fire services bringing it to the Ruby County Market on Saturday, December 3, from 9am to 2pm.

Area manager Neil Blackburn, of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Some people might think that they are less likely to have a collision on country roads of the type that we have in North Devon.

“In fact, country roads can be as dangerous as major routes as 59% of all fatalities occur on country roads. This is why we are focusing on smaller roads as part of the campaign.”

The team will also be positioned outside pubs and clubs and will visit major employers to spread the word to as many people as possible.

Mr Blackburn added: “Alcohol can stay in your system longer than you think and you may in fact still be over the legal limit in the morning.

“After drinking a strong bottle of wine, it can take up to 13 hours for the alcohol to leave your system. By showing people the evidence we can then provide them with facts and information.”

For the facts about alcohol use visit www.drinkaware.co.uk or for more road safety information about driving on country roads visit think.direct.gov.uk/country-roads.html