Bradford dad's Christmas plea to drivers after tragedy

Dr Ian Greenwood, of Queensbury, issued the plea after it emerged West Yorkshire Police arrested more than 200 people in the first three weeks of its festive crackdown on drink and drug driving.

Dr Greenwood's daughter Alice died in October 2008 after her mum's car was hit as they drove back to West Yorkshire from a family trip.

The other vehicle's 18-year-old driver, who himself died in the collision alongside his 16-year-old passenger, had been part of a convoy of cars racing each other along the A52 in Derbyshire.

Four teenagers were jailed for causing death by careless driving the following year.

Alice's younger sister, Clara, and her mum, Juliette, both suffered serious injuries in the collision but thankfully survived.

Dr Greenwood and his late daughter Alice (Image: Mike Simmonds/Newsquest/Submitted)

Since the tragedy, Dr Greenwood has been working to raise awareness about road safety.

Backing West Yorkshire Police's campaign to tackle drink and drug driving, Dr Greenwood told the Telegraph & Argus: "If you want a drink or take drugs, that’s nothing to do with me, but I ask you to make the right choice, and not drive afterwards.

"Do it at home, or get home by walking, take a bus, get a lift from a sober mate or, if you can afford it, get a taxi.

"It is really not that difficult."

He urged drivers to think now about the consequences of breaking the law.

"You could end up with a criminal record, you could lose your job, you could kill someone and absolutely devastate lives," he said.

"Because of what happened in 2008, my daughter will always be 12.

"I loved her dearly, I still love her, and I miss her every day.

"Road death is avoidable if people make the right choices."

Dr Greenwood is supporting a campaign which aims to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries in West Yorkshire by 2040.

The Vision Zero initiative comes after the deaths of 66 people and more than 5,000 injuries on the region's roads last year.

A key part of Vision Zero is educating drivers and raising awareness about actions they can take to make our roads safer.

At a Vision Zero event earlier this year, Dr Greenwood told the Telegraph & Argus: "Most people who live in West Yorkshire drive really carefully - most drive sensibly and comply with rules.

"There are, of course, some people who won't listen to me - and what I'd say to them is the police will get you eventually.

"I don't want anyone else to have to go through what I and so many people go through every single day."

'We are relentless in stopping drink and drug driving'

In the first three weeks of its crackdown, West Yorkshire Police arrested a total of 211 people for suspected drink or drug driving.

They have also shared 12 excuses made to officers by perpetrators of drink and drug driving the area - including "I only had a couple" and "drugs don't affect my driving".

Chief Inspector James Farrar, head of the West Yorkshire roads policing unit, said: "The consequences of drink or drug driving can include a fine, disqualification and even a prison sentence.

"But most importantly the outcome could be having to live with the knowledge that you have seriously injured, or even killed, an innocent person.

"My officers are experts in spotting the signs of people driving under the influence and will be relentless in continuing to stop every driver they suspect may be doing so."

In support of the initiative, members of the public are being encouraged to report anyone they suspect is regularly driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

West Yorkshire's deputy mayor, Alison Lowe, added: "This latest campaign targeting drink and drug driving over the festive period plays a vital role in our partnership ambitions around Vision Zero.

"Being under the influence can lead to deadly consequences - and excuses won't change a single thing when the worst happens."

If you suspect someone is driving under the influence of drink or drugs, contact police on 101.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.