A 70-YEAR-OLD man from Coalpit Heath has been banned from driving for one year after he was caught drink driving by police.

Roy Rich pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Monday, June 19.

He was disqualified from holding a driver’s licence for 12 months. 

Avon and Somerset Police have been cracking down on drink and drug drivers as part of their summer ‘Operation Tonic’ campaign.

Rich is among several other drink or drug drivers who have been publicly named by the police force in a bid to discourage dangerous driving.

Other drivers include Ahmed Elmi, of Bristol, Finley Mayo, of Weston-super-Mare, James Causley, of Taunton, and Claire Beattie, of Failand, Bristol.

Chief Inspector Kevan Rowlands, Head of Road Safety for Avon and Somerset Police, said that the police want to encourage people to be more pro-active about stopping drink drivers.

He said: "During this month’s Operation Tonic we are particularly appealing to friends, family and professionals who know someone who is regularly drink driving to ask them to stop. 

"You may know someone who is struggling to cope and is using alcohol or drugs and still driving. 

"If you feel you can - then please reach out to them and get them to stop driving - before they injure themselves or someone else."

Police advice to someone who is aware of a drink or drug driver is as follows:

  • Dial 999 if you know someone is driving now whilst drunk or under the influence of drugs. 
  • Call 101 for less urgent cases, or contacting the police through their website or by emailing drinkdrive@avonandsomerset.police.uk.
  • Report anonymously using Crimestoppers on 0800555111 – www.crimestoppers-uk.org

The following organisations may be able to help people struggling with their mental health or a drug or alcohol problem:

Addiction

http://www.turning-point.co.uk/

http://www.nta.nhs.uk/

http://www.actiononaddiction.org.uk/

Age-related mental health

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Mental health

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/