Police Issue Stern Message to Drink and Drug Drivers this Festive Season

“Don’t dice with death” is the stern message from Cleveland Police as the Christmas drink and drug drive campaign launches.

As part of a month-long campaign (beginning 1^st December) over the festive period, drivers are being urged not to get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In Cleveland between 2016 and 2020, there were 235 collisions where people were injured and alcohol was judged to be a factor and a further 142 where drugs were judged to have been a factor.

The majority of those found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs were aged between 17 and 34 years old, and more than three quarters were male.

Officers will spread educational messages about the dangers of driving under the influence throughout the month and will be carrying out random breath and drug tests on drivers.

Chief Inspector Helen Wilson said: “Over the festive period when there are more people going out to socialise, we see a seasonal rise in drink and drug driving. We take part in this campaign every year and carry out random stop checks on drivers to detect those behind the wheel who are under the influence and remove them from our roads.

“Driving whilst under the influence could leave drivers with a fine and penalty points, a prison sentence or worse; they could kill themselves or other innocent people. Anyone who takes the risk really is dicing with death.

“There really is no safe way to combine alcohol, drugs and driving. I would urge anyone not to get behind the wheel if intoxicated, to ensure they protect themselves and those around them.”

Posters will be displayed in local pubs throughout the campaign, with the “don’t dice with death” messaging.

Social media messaging can be found on the Cleveland Police Facebook and Twitter pages and the Cleveland & Durham RPU Facebook page.