‘It’s not worth the risk’ is the message behind this year’s national Christmas drink driving campaign. Police are encouraging the public to ‘dob in a drink or drug driver’. It officially launches on Tuesday, December 1. Police are asking the public to contact them about people they see, or know to either drink or take drugs, before getting behind the wheel.
Information can be given to police call handlers via the 101 non emergency number. In an emergency, where there is a crime in progress or threat to life, always call 999.
The publication of each charge made in relation to drink or drug driving was a first for West Yorkshire Police last December. Once again, the details will be posted onto a special section of the force’s website each weekday morning. Further updates and news regarding this year’s campaign will also feature on the Force’s Twitter account: @WestYorksPolice using the hashtag #NotWorthTheRisk.
Inspector Joanne Field, who leads West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: ‘‘Driving while under the influence of drink or drugs is always a significant danger, but at Christmas the risks are even more prevalent with darker nights, bad weather and sadly, more people taking the risk by drinking or using drugs and then getting behind the wheel.
“We’re asking people to consider the real impact of those they see or know regularly drinks or uses drugs before driving and have made it easier than ever to ‘dob in a driver’. You can call 101 to make your report, or you can use the new online form. We want those who witness someone clearly drinking too much to drive to call us, but we’d like to encourage people to think about the people they see or know who regularly drink and drive and report them too.
‘‘Each year we stop hundreds of people who are clearly not in a fit state to drive through drink or drugs. The 2015 campaign is about hammering home the message that on a daily basis people across West Yorkshire are risking their and other people’s lives and that drink or drug driving has extremely serious consequences.
‘‘The effect of a drink driving conviction can be devastating. In my time as an officer, I have seen people lose their job, career and relationships. If you’re going out to drink any amount please leave your car keys at home. It’s simply not worth the risk.
“The number of drink driving charges is decreasing nationally which is a step in the right direction. While we would like to think that this is because people are more aware of the dangers of getting behind the wheel after a few drinks, the reality is that the decline is small and there are still plenty of people out there willing to take the risk.”
