Army personnel receive hard hitting drink drive presentation

Hundreds of army personnel have been shown the hard-hitting realities of drink driving and the impact that getting caught or hurting someone could have on their lives.

Between June 2025 and May 2026, more than 600 people were caught drink-driving in the county. 

On Monday, PC Mike Handscomb, who works on the Serious Collision Investigation Team and PC Matt Jacobs from the ROADS team spoke to personnel at Tidworth Garrison theatre, showing them footage from real-life investigations and the lasting impact being involved in a crash can have on those in the vehicle and their families.

Officers were joined by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, who brought along a crashed car and showed how they might get someone out of the vehicle if they were trapped.

In the afternoon, officers moved to Colerne Camp to deliver the drink driving presentation again to around 60 people.

PC Handscomb said: "There is still a dangerous misconception that people can judge when they're safe to drive after drinking. Too often, people convince themselves they're fine, that nothing will happen, or that they won't get caught.

"Our presentations to military personnel use powerful real-life stories and local collision data to show the very real consequences of drink-driving. We know that one message, delivered in the right way at the right time, can be enough to change a decision.

"If our work prevents just one person from driving under the influence, then it could prevent a serious collision, save a career, or even save a life."

One case included in the presentation is an incident in November 2023 involving ex-military personnel. Then 46, Christopher Burden from Tisbury crashed his motorbike into a parked car before going home and driving his BMW car. Minutes later, he crashed into a vehicle containing a family on the A30.

Burden pleaded guilty to three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and was given a two-year custodial sentence. Luckily, all three victims injured in the incident made a full physical recovery.

PC Handscomb added: "Choosing to drink and drive is choosing to take a risk with lives, both your own and those of other road users."

If you're found to be over the drink-drive limit, and/or driving while impaired by drugs, you can receive:

• a criminal record
• a maximum penalty of six months in prison
• an unlimited fine
• an automatic driving ban of at least one year (three years if you have been convicted twice in 10 years)

Other problems you may face include:

• an endorsement on your driving licence for 11 years
• an increased insurance premium
• if you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction on your licence
• trouble travelling to countries like the USA
• If a driver kills someone while under the influence of alcohol, they can be charged with causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs (Section 3A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1991, section 3)). 

The maximum penalty is 14 years' imprisonment if the offence was committed before 28 June 2022. If the offence was committed on or after 28 June 2022, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment. 

If you suspect someone is drink driving, call 999 in an emergency.

You can also report anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or through their website.