Police Camera Action Drink Drive Special

Drinking and driving is the second greatest killer on UK roads after speeding. In the lead up to the festive season, a timely Police Camera Action special for ITV1, presented by Gethin Jones, explores why - despite the potential perils - so many British road users continue to drink and drive.

In a powerful experiment for the programme, Gethin examines how his own driving abilities are affected by alcohol when he attempts to navigate Millbrook Test Track under the influence of five vodkas and coke. He tells scientists that the alcohol makes him feel more confident however, moments later, his confidence is proved to be misplaced.

Gethin goes out on the road with traffic cops in Milton Keynes and meets Amanda and Phil Peak – whose two young sons were notoriously killed by professional footballer Luke McCormick when he was more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.

One of the excuses offered by some of those who drink and drive for their decision to do so is that they believe they have the skill and experience to remain unaffected - however shocking police footage shows this is all too often not the case.

The programme also puts five people who admit they regularly drink and drive through a series of tests to examine their understanding of the legal limit and confront them with the potential consequences of their actions.


At the Police Camera Action test bar, Gethin asks the five people who admit to regularly drinking and driving to consume their standard alcohol intake for an evening – ranging from six pints of lager to eight malibus and coke.

After testing their ‘skill and experience’ in a special driving simulator Gethin presents them with a shocking scene - challenging their resolve to drink and drive again.

Last edited: Monday, 24 November 2008