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Drivers warned about drinking a little and risking a lot

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, Lilian Greenwood 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.”

Alison Lowe 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.

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.


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Policing and Crime Team
(Mayoral Combined Authority, Communications, West Yorkshire)
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