North Yorkshire Police have launched their Christmas drink and drug driving campaign with a heartbreaking film.
It shows the harrowing impact of driving under the influence, and how it can shatter people’s lives for years.
The annual campaign launches this Sunday (1 December), with officers increasing proactive drink and drunk driving patrols throughout December.
The two-minute film highlights how mindless actions can leave others with an empty chair at the Christmas table.
It was produced by North Yorkshire Police’s corporate communications team and asks three individuals what they like about Christmas.
One of those people is Carol Jones’s sister Angie. Eight years ago Carol was driving to work at Harrogate Police Station, when Simeon Denny crashed into her at the junction of Otley Road and Cold Bath Road.
He drove through a red light at 60mph, hitting the car that Carol was travelling in. Denny, 29, was jailed at York Crown Court for five years, nine months. He was also banned from driving for six and a half years.
He was over the limit for both alcohol and cannabis.
In the film, Angie says: “It doesn’t get any easier. And every year now, there’s an empty chair at my Christmas table.”
Morning after
During December, officers will be using marked and unmarked vehicles and a range of specialist tactics to target those driving under the influence.
They hope to intervene and bring drunk and drug drivers to justice, before they have a chance to bring misery to families.
Patrols will be taking place around the clock and static patrols will be in place on various key routes around the country.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Remember, it isn’t just about having an alcoholic drink or taking drugs and getting straight into the car – you can also be over the limit or under the influence the morning after.”
During last year’s campaign, North Yorkshire officers conducted 731 roadside tests with 18.6% of those testing positive to being over the limit for drink or drug driving.
This was a 6.9% increase from the same period in 2022.
Superintendent Andrew Berriman from NYP Specialist Operations Unit said: “Every year, police officers have to deliver the devastating news to people that their loved one has been killed in a collision relating to drink or drugs.
“The video which we have released today shows how the loss of one person can cause a lifetime of devastation. If you drink or drug drive, you are putting your own life and those of others in danger.”
Individuals are urged to report drunk and drug driving, they should disclose their vehicle, registration, and location to police on 999.
Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
This year’s campaign is a joint project between North Yorkshire Police and colleagues from the York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership, a group of local authorities, emergency services and other agencies which work together throughout the county to reduce the number of people killed and injured on the roads.