Motorists in West Yorkshire are being reminded of the dangers of
drink driving through the “Drink a little. Risk a
lot.” campaign.
In West Yorkshire, 130 people were killed or seriously injured in
2023 in collisions involving drivers/riders under the influence
of drugs or alcohol.
Last summer saw more than 600 arrests for drink and drug driving,
which works out at more than 6 a day.
The campaign, launched by THINK! highlights what's at stake if
you drive when over the limit, such as losing your licence, and
the everyday consequences of this including letting your family
and friends down, loss of independence and potentially losing
your job.
It also reinforces that beyond these consequences, drinking even
a little before driving could risk killing or seriously injuring
yourself, your mates or someone else.
The maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving when
under the influence of drink or drugs is 14 years in prison, with
a minimum driving ban of two years.
It is not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay
below the limit so if you're driving, it's better to have none
for the road and stick to soft drinks or non-alcoholic
alternatives.
The campaign is being supported locally by West Yorkshire Vision
Zero, the partnership looking to reduce road death and
serious injuries in the county to zero by 2040.
Minister for the Future of Roads, said: “The
consequences of drinking before driving can be life-changing -
from losing your licence to injuring or even killing yourself or
someone else. Our THINK! campaign targets high risk young male
drivers, with the message that drink driving is never worth the
risk.
“We welcome the support of West Yorkshire Vision Zero on this
vital issue.”
OBE, Chair of the West
Yorkshire Vision Zero Partnership and the region's Deputy Mayor
for Policing and Crime, said: “We want everyone to enjoy
their summers but if you're driving, please don't do so under the
influence.
“We don't want anyone to experience the pain and devastation of
losing a loved one in a crash and we are doing all we can to
reduce these incidents to zero.
“However, everyone has a role in Vision Zero and by not driving
while unfit, you help to keep everyone safe and free to enjoy
many more summers.”
Sergeant Chris Robinson of West Yorkshire Police's Roads
Policing Unit, said: “Our officers arrest people every
day for drink and drug driving offences and it is clear that too
many drivers still think it's okay to take the risk.
“Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs puts
yourself and other road users at serious risk. Think about your
own fitness to drive and encourage family and friends to find
another way home if they have been drinking or taking drugs.
“Likewise if you see somebody else getting behind the wheel who
you believe to be over the limit, please report it to us.”
Show your support for keeping everyone safe on our roads by
signing the Vision Zero
Pledge. You can also dedicate your pledge in someone's
memory. Visit https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/vz-pledge.
The THINK! ‘Drink a little, risk a lot' campaign will be
targeting high-risk young male drivers throughout the summer via
social media, gaming sites, radio and outdoor and in-pub
advertising as well as at music festivals including Leeds
Festival. The campaign first ran in 2024, following which their
was an increase in young men saying they had abstained from
alcohol completely so that they could drive afterwards.
Notes to editors
The campaign video can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mjy4yqY6izQ.
