UK NEWS

POLICE CHIEF CALLS TIME ON STREET PINTS

Superintendent Paul Morrison: Wants to stop glamorising drink-driving

Saturday April 5,2008

By Tom Whitehead

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A SENIOR police chief has accused Coronation Street of glamorising drink-driving.

Superintendent Paul Morrison said soap characters, who are regularly seen downing lunchtime pints, are setting a bad example to drivers.

The traffic chief wants the programme to stop showing a packed Rovers Return at lunchtime.

He even called for characters like Steve McDonald, played by Simon Gregson, to get arrested and banned from driving.

Gregson was himself convicted of drink-driving in 2006. In February, the actor posed for photos outside the soap’s pub with a placard reading “Don’t drink and drive”.

Road safety campaigners last night said the soap should use its influence on the viewing public to send out a tough message about drink-driving.

But the programme makers Granada insisted none of the characters drink and drive and scenes do not suggest it.

Supt Morrison said: “If you look at programmes like Coronation Street, they are all drinking.

“The taxi cab bloke is always in the Rovers at dinnertime having a drink.

“It would be nice to see people who seem to be drinking and driving on some of these popular TV programmes getting nicked from time to time.”

He said soap operas influence habits by showing people drinking then apparently going about their normal business.

The Sussex Police chief said: “So many of them glamorise drinking. “They are meant to appeal to the public because they are a snapshot of everyday life.

“You only have to read the papers to see how much effect TV programmes have on people’s lives.

“When everybody drinks it doesn’t give a good message. It is not helpful.”

John Stewart, spokesman for charity Roadpeace, said: “I think he is right.

“Coronation Street could send out a message about drink-driving without in any way spoiling the enjoyment of the programme.” A spokeswoman for Granada said none of the show’s characters drink and drive. She said: “He (Steve McDonald) doesn’t drive the cabs as a cabbie. He works full-time as the owner of the Rovers. He doesn’t drink and drive.

“Coronation Street does have people drinking in the pub during the day, but there is nothing to suggest they drive afterwards.

“Lloyd Mullaney who drives the taxis on the show does go into the pub at lunchtime. “We make a point that he orders an orange juice.”

* It emerged in December that Britain’s drivers could face a complete ban on booze. Ministers are to discuss a zero-tolerance approach to drinking.

If you look at programmes like Coronation Street, they are all drinking

Superintendent Paul Morrison

POLICE AND CORRIE PINTS

05.04.08, 8:40pm

What on earth have the Sussex public done to deserve this stupid senior policeman. Does he not understand that Coronation Street is a programme watched by housewives and obviously by himself, and not by drinkers in pubs. To say the programme encourages drink driving and sends the wrong message is pathetic. This fool who i presume deals with fact and evidence supplies neither to back up his claim. Perhaps he would do better to improve the image of police by putting more proper police on the street to tackle crime than worry about a popular TV programme enjoyed by many who don't associate drink driving by watching entertainment. No wonder people get sick of these idiots who are supposed to police and protect. He really should get out of the TV room and do the job he is highly paid for by the public. GET A LIFE!!!!

• Posted by: Daveyboy • Report Comment

NANNY STATE STINKS

05.04.08, 5:29pm

Perhaps they should allow LANDLORDS to decide if the pub should allow smoking instead of telling us what to do

• Posted by: Fable • Report Comment

POLICE..

05.04.08, 1:42pm

sir ian blair better watch out,this guys after his job, he's got the same wimpy mentality, he should go far in todays politically correct brown-nosing echelons.

• Posted by: rev • Report Comment