I WAS amused to read the very prominent blue sign on London Road in Appleton - opposite the golf club - which states: "Police enforcement area - severe penalties for drink-driving".

Surely anyone caught drink-driving anywhere in Warrington should be severely punished?

Or is there a very real need to point out this rather obvious message to the folk of Appleton or those who happen to drive through it?

Do the police have reason to think that particular spot is a haven for drink-drivers?

If they do I would love to know the number of people caught in that area.

Does putting up a sign really help?

If you have been drinking are you suddenly going to change your mind, realise the error of your ways and abandon your car forthwith to walk?

I don't think so somehow.

I'm not suggesting for one minute that we take drink driving lightly - there's no acceptable reasons for doing it and people should be punished.

It just seems like a pointless sign.

It's very like those ones on the motorways that say random things every so often - most of them really unnecessary but you read them anyway just in case it's something important.

I think signs like these cause more accidents than they prevent by just being plain silly.

Sadly, Cheshire Police is not alone in its 'stating the blindingly obvious'.

Hertfordshire Constabulary' has recently erected: "Don't Commit Crime. All fuel must be paid for" posters at petrol stations in its patch.

These really are an insult to people's intelligence.

It's more likely to make me want to steal some petrol just to be awkward!

And the really sad thing about all these ridiculous signs is that someone somewhere has probably been paid a small fortune to think up these campaigns!