Issued by North Yorkshire Police
What will 2013 bring for you? A new job? A new house? A new car? A new relationship?
How about none of the above? If you get caught drink or drug driving tonight, you could lose everything.
Being caught drink driving carries a minimum 12 month ban from the roads. If you can’t drive how will you get to work? If you can’t get to work, how will you pay your mortgage? If you can’t pay your mortgage, where are you and your family going to live?
Think very carefully before getting behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs, not only are you putting the lives of other people at risk but you are in danger of ruining your own life.
North Yorkshire Police has arrested 109 people since their Christmas drink and drug drive campaign began on 1 December 2012.
Officers have conducted 3412 breath tests over the same period and will be out in force across North Yorkshire and the City of York again tonight looking for motorists who ignore their repeated safety warnings.
If you are going out to enjoy the New Year celebrations with your family and friends tonight, you should make some arrangements to get home that don’t include driving if you have been drinking or taking drugs.
Traffic Sergeant Pete Stringer, of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “It is impossible to stress enough just how much drink or drug driving can impact on people’s lives.
“It isn’t just a case of you losing your licence for a while if you get caught, there are much wider implications like losing your livelihood and putting your family’s future at risk.
“Even worse, if you get behind the wheel while under the influence of drink and drugs you risk killing somebody. If you do you will get at least five years in prison, a criminal record, an extended driving ban, decreased job prospects when you are freed, the negative impact and stigma is endless.
“And that’s just you. What about the person you kill? What about their family and friends? Their loss will be felt forever.”
North Yorkshire Police is grateful to the members of the public who have supported this year’s festive drink and drug drive campaign by reporting suspected over-the-limit drivers.
Sgt Stringer added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of North Yorkshire and the City of York for providing information which has contributed to getting drink and drug drivers off our roads.
“Your support is invaluable and I urge you to be vigilant not just on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but throughout the year ahead and help us to save lives.”
If you would like to report someone you suspect of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 1 – and pass information to the Force Control Room.
If you wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.
Follow @NYorksPolice on Twitter for the latest updates on the Christmas drink and drug drive campaign #drinkdrive.
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