Summer Drink / Drug Drive Campaign Starts
24 June 2019
With the summer holidays and hopefully warmer weather on its way, West Yorkshire Police is warning of the consequences of getting behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs this summer.
The national coordinated drink and drug driving summer enforcement campaign runs from Monday, 24 June, to Sunday, 7 July, but motorists in West Yorkshire should be aware that roads policing officers take action all year round to tackle this inconsiderate and dangerous behaviour. There is a breathalyser kit in every police vehicle in West Yorkshire and officers also now routinely use drug testing kits.
Last summer 54 people failed a breath test at the roadside while 59 people were arrested for driving whilst under the influence of drugs.
Chief Inspector Lisa Kirkland, who has responsibility for Roads Policing, said: "Our officers see the devastating, and sometimes fatal, consequences of people driving or using motorcycles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
"It is a choice to get behind the wheel when you know you have been drinking or taking drugs and there is always an alternative. Whether it's the few pints in the pub garden, the Pimms at a friend's barbecue or the smoke with friends in the park, your judgement and perceptions will be affected and you need to be thinking about another way to get home.
"You might think that you're a good enough driver that you can drive after a few, but believe me, many have thought that before you and learnt the hard way that that is simply not the case.
"If you are caught drink driving, you face time in jail, being banned from driving, an unlimited fine and potentially losing your job; and that's the best case scenario. If you crash your vehicle then you risk seriously injuring yourself or others and just take a moment to think about the lifelong impact that that would have on you."
Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said: "Drink/drug driving is not a smart thing to do and we all know too well the potentially awful consequences it can have.
"If you do know of anyone driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs then please report them to West Yorkshire Police as soon as you can. In doing so you will be helping to keep our communities safe and possibly even saving lives as a result.
"Improving the overall Safety on our roads remains a key issue for the public and a priority in my Police and Crime Plan, and involves a mixture of education, enforcement and prevention activities such as this campaign."
The Roads Policing Unit regularly tweet about the action they have taken to make the roads safer, including catching suspected drink and drug drivers. You can follow the team by searching for @WYP_RPU.
If you have information about someone drink or drug driving, you can report it via the West Yorkshire Police website at: www.westyorkshire.police.uk/form/drink-drug-driving-reporting-form
You should always call 999 if a crime is in progress.