POLICE have arrested 94 people so far in a crackdown on drink and drug driving.

Police across Yorkshire are clampintg down on drink and drug driving.

Throughout December, West Yorkshire Police will be carrying out increased enforcement activity on our roads and taking every opportunity to remind people of the potentially fatal consequences for yourself and others of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.

Building on the success of the recent driving whilst using a mobile phone campaign, the Force will again be using the hashtag #WYPTheCost and highlighting the potential cost of being caught drink or drug driving. The consequences can include prison time, an unlimited fine and a driving ban, in addition to the devastating emotional impact on those involved and their families and loved ones if someone is injured as a result of a collision.

North Yorkshire Police say it’s almost three weeks since they started their Christmas campaign to target drink and drug driving and the results as of noon on December 23 were: 
• 28 arrests since last Friday
• 94 arrests in total 

Of those 94 arrests:
• 27 were for drug driving
• 67 arrests were for drink driving
• 17 of these arrests were in relation to road traffic collisions


Bradford Telegraph and Argus: A force spokesman said: "The average breath alcohol reading is nearly twice the legal limit!

"And the highest breath alcohol reading remains one that was nearly 5 times the legal limit. 
 
"Please celebrate safely and remember our officers patrol our roads 24/7 and are trained to spot the signs of drink and drug driving. 

"If you see someone about to drive who is under the influence of drink or drugs then dial 999. 

"To pass on any information about someone you know who regularly drives under the influence of drink or drugs dial 101."

Chief Inspector Lisa Kirkland, Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “Over the festive period, many of us will be out for meals, drinks and nights out with work colleagues, friends and family. What we are asking is for people to plan ahead and think not just about how they are going to get home on a night but also about their plans for the following morning.

“Every year, we catch people driving under the influence of drink or drugs not just in the evening but also the next day, dropping the children at school, driving to work, taking the car on a Christmas shopping trip.

“Christmas can be costly enough but think about what it would mean for your new year to be facing losing your licence, an unlimited fine and potentially time in prison.

“That really is the best case scenario as well. Drink or drugs has been listed as a contributory factor in 15 fatal collisions in West Yorkshire this year to date. This could be due to one or more drivers involved in the collision being under the influence but equally could be due to a pedestrian or cyclist being intoxicated. This festive season is a timely reminder for us all to look out for each other and for pedestrians as well to be mindful of their own safety.”