This December, football clubs, licenced venues and road safety partners across South Yorkshire are supporting a national campaign to tackle drink and drug driving.
In Great Britain, around 260 people are killed in drink drive collisions every year with a spike in crashes during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership (SYSRP), which South Yorkshire Fire and Rescuer is part of, aims to spread awareness about the dangers of impaired driving as well as calling on mates to have a word when they think a friend or colleague is not safe to drive.
Chris Tyler, Group Manager in South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue’s community safety team said: “We’re proud to join other organisations in South Yorkshire in taking a stand against drink driving.
“The festive period can be a joyous time for many but the festivities can easily turn sour if you drink and drive. Your family want you back home for Christmas, not being cut out of your vehicle by our crews.”
“Tackling drink driving is a shared responsibility and the only way to stop it happening, is if we all work together,” said South Yorkshire Deputy Mayor Kilvinder Vigurs.
“We are delighted to have the support of South Yorkshire organisations who want their fans and customers to stay safe.
“If you are heading out to celebrate and have a drink, please plan ahead. Book taxis, agree a designated driver or use public transport. It is not always easy but please have that difficult conversation with friends and speak up because you could save a life.
“There is no need to take risks. You can still enjoy yourselves knowing that everyone will take their seat at the Christmas dinner table and see in the New Year.”
The ‘Are You Mate Enough’ campaign forms part of an annual police operation called Op Limit which was launched to combat the seasonal rise in crashes where the driver is over the legal limit.
And while officers deal with drink driving offences 365 days of the year, local neighbourhood teams will increase visibility around the nighttime economy during the festive season.
Roads Policing Inspector Matt Collings said: “Drink driving is one of leading causes of people being killed or seriously injured in a crash.
“Our officers see the devastation first hand whether it’s attending the collision, or knocking on the door of a family member to tell them their loved one isn’t coming home.
“We want to work with you to stop people taking risks in the first place. Will you be the mate that takes the keys off a friend? Will you be the mate that drinks 0% beer and gets everyone home safe?
“Will you be the mate that reminds everyone about their kids waiting at home for them?”
Drink driving can ruin people’s lives, including your own. If you are caught driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink, you risk six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a ban from driving for at least one year (three years if convicted twice in 10 years).
Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink risks life imprisonment, an unlimited fine, a ban from driving for at least five years and an extended driving test before your licence is returned.
A conviction for drink-driving also means your car insurance costs will increase significantly. If you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction on your licence and you may have trouble travelling to countries like the USA.
You can follow the campaign on social media via #OpLimit.
ENDS
Note to Editors:
The Partnership is made up of the following organisations:
• South Yorkshire Police (SYP) (including South Yorkshire Safety Cameras (SYSC)
• South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue (SYFR)
• Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC)
• City of Doncaster Council (CDC) • Rotherham Borough Council (RMBC)
• Sheffield City Council (SCC)
• South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA)
• National Highways
Further information can be found on the SYSRP website www.sysrp.co.uk You can also find us on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @SYSaferRoads.