SUFFOLK Police will be watching see how an in-your-face scheme to prevent drink driving goes down.In the latest initiative drinkers will be faced with a clear warning when they come to the end of their pint.

SUFFOLK Police will be watching see how an in-your-face scheme to prevent drink driving goes down.

In the latest initiative drinkers will be faced with a clear warning when they come to the end of their pint.

More than 2,000 glasses with the words Don't Drink and Dive etched in the bottom of them are being given to pubs in a pilot scheme in Kettering.

The scheme is a result of the partnership between Northamptonshire police and glass suppliers Iconic Ltd.

Evening Star columnist Robert Beaumont, who was caught drink driving himself some years ago, does not think the scheme will work.

He said: "If you see the warning message when you have nearly finished your pint it is too late. You wouldn't take any notice of it.

"When you go out drinking with friends you get into rounds and it is tempting to accept another drink when it is a mate's turn to buy.

"The only way to tackle drink driving is to make it quite clear that one drink is too many. There should be a zero tolerance policy – it should be illegal to drink and drive at all."

Chief Inspector Alan Pawsey, Head of Traffic at Suffolk Police, said: "We will review the results of Northamptonshire's campaign with interest."

"In Suffolk we run a drink drive campaign on 365 days of the year. Everyone is aware that the legal penalties for driving while intoxicated are serious."

"If people are planning a night out they should think carefully about how they are going to get home once they have had a drink.

"They should make the appropriate arrangements by booking a taxi, checking the timetable for public transport or designating one of their party remain alcohol free for the night.

"If anyone suspects that the driver of a vehicle has consumed too much alcohol they should report it to police immediately, dialling 999 if necessary. By doing so they could save a life."

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