Pubs back drink-drive campaign

Pubs in Peterborough are signing up to a new campaign pressing for harsher sentences for drink drivers.

Licensees in Peterborough are asking customers to sign a petition calling for a change in the law, after the campaign was launched by a local family.

Terry and Steven Paulucci set up the initiative after losing their mother in a tragic car crash last November. In July Adrian Taylor (36), of Crane Avenue, Yaxley was handed two five-and-a-half year jail sentences, to run concurrently, at Peterborough Crown Court for killing Muriel Paulucci and her partner Michael Moore.

Taylor had admitted two counts of causing death by careless driving after having drunk too much alcohol.

Helen Paulucci, whose mother-in-law was killed in the accident, said: "The fact that so many pubs are getting involved is brilliant. There seem to be drink driving campaigns at Christmas but what about the rest of the year?" Licensee Alison Moorhouse, of the Old Monk, in Cowgate, said: "We have filled in two A4 petition sheets so far - about 150 names. It's helping people get the message and they are thinking twice about drinking and driving. It's definitely a worthwhile cause."

Joanne Macy of the city's Westside Bar, in Broadway, which is also publicising the petition, added: "I believe licensees should take more responsibility for preventing drink driving themselves - in the past I have taken the car keys off of customers who have had too much too drink and I would do it again.

"It's about having a greater sense of responsibility and awareness."

Peterborough MP Helen Clark has pledged to present the petition in the House of Commons in October.

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