NEWS that Alderney’s police force is planning to crack down on drink driving hasn’t gone down well with everybody in the island.
Since I arrived here in early March, various people have told me they feel Alderney is becoming a ‘police state’ and such views have been fuelled following two police officers’ comments.
Last week Sergeant Jeff Hill described drink driving in Alderney as a ‘significant’ problem, while PC Malcolm Messenger said it is a year-round issue.
In case you’re not aware, nine islanders have been convicted for drink driving in the past 12 months – a large number considering Alderney’s size, according to Sgt Hill.
Admittedly, driving in Alderney isn’t the same as driving in England, or practically anywhere else. For starters, there are no roundabouts or traffic lights and you’re not required to wear a seatbelt. The maximum speed limit is 35mph and cars aren’t required to take MOT tests.
Despite all this, drink driving is still dangerous. It may not be as hazardous here as it is in Manchester city centre, but put someone behind the wheel after they’ve consumed five pints of lager and they’re not only putting themself in grave danger, they’re endangering the lives of anybody who happens to be in the vehicle with them – not to mention other road users and pedestrians.
Few people in Alderney are campaigning for more stringent driving laws at present but imagine the outcry should an innocent person be killed as a result of drink driving. The public would press for more stringent rules and regulations and islanders would end up being forced to adhere to stricter laws.
This is the main reason why I applaud the police for clamping down now before anybody suffers an injury or worse. Prevention is surely better than a reactionary cure later on – rules dreamt up following a serious incident don’t do the original victims any good, vital though they may seem at the time.
Rambler and postman Tony Haywood is off to the Himalayas and is looking for people to join him. (0564245)
Veteran rambler Tony Haywood is on the lookout for adventurous walking companions to join him on a trek in the Indian Himalayas.
The 62-year-old postman will fly to India in either late July or early August to take on an exhausting 244km walk from Lamayuru to Chamrat.
He will warm up for the expedition by taking part in charity walks in Guernsey and Jersey.
Tony, of Le Petit Chalet, Longis Common, said: ‘After completing the Itex around-Jersey walk in 18 hours last year I vowed never to do it again.
‘But just a couple of weeks later I felt fantastic and soon got the walking bug back and this year I’m doing the Itex walks in Jersey and Guernsey.’
Tony went on to say he’s looking for similar souls to join him in India.
‘I’m looking for like-minded people to join me on what will be a mesmerising trip. The walk will last 17 days, so the whole journey will take about three weeks. I expect the cost to be around £1,000 per person.’
* Anyone interested in joining Tony should call 01481 824346.
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