Police say they are frustrated by the number of people who continue to drink and drive or speed despite campaigns against both offences. At the same time, police resources are being re-directed, or at least stretched, by the need to intervene or prevent alcohol- related violence.

Why is it that the messages about speeding, drink-driving and alcohol-related violence are seemingly not changing behaviour?

Have we spent too much time on high profile blitzes that capture the attention of the media, and forgotten the importance of projects that can bring about changes in attitudes?

Changing the negative culture surrounding drinking needs to be a top priority. People need to understand that being drunk in public places is not cool. The same approach applies to drink- driving and speeding.

The television and newspaper articles might give the impression that police and politicians are doing something about the drink-driving and speeding, and alcohol-related violence, but what about working on the decision-making processes of the offenders before they are nabbed by police?

That is a more much difficult, time consuming, and long-term approach but one that could be the key to changing attitudes.