SWASFT launches ‘Festive Spirit’ campaign

South Western Ambulance Service launches its ‘festive spirit’ campaign today.

The campaign will run until Monday 5 January and aims to encourage people across the South West to drive safely this Christmas.

A poignant poster refers to people ‘having too much festive spirit’ and South Western Ambulance Service is urging people to consider the consequences before getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.

Alcohol is not the only factor when it comes to driving responsibly during the winter. Driving at a speed appropriate to the weather conditions, ensuring that motorists have had a recent eye test in the event of sight problems and keeping within the speed limit are also crucial.

Every minute someone accesses the ambulance service for either an emergency or urgent problem. The demand for these services has never been higher, as call volumes currently average almost 2500 a day across the operational area of the service.

The Trust’s Medical Director, Dr Andy Smith said: “It is not about pointing the finger and telling people how to behave. This campaign is concerned with encouraging people to think about the potential impact that their behaviour has on others.

“Each year the Trust attends thousands of incidents where the patient’s injuries were entirely preventable. We all lead busy lives – the festive period being one of the busiest times of the year socially.

"People just need to take simple steps in order to make informed decisions, like drive at reduced speeds in poor weather conditions for example. By following simple steps lives will be saved and serious injury can be avoided.

“We wish all residents and visitors to the region a happy, safe and healthy festive period.”