Drink Drive awareness event to encourage people to take responsibility for their actions this festive period

People across Leeds are being encouraged to take responsibility for their actions this festive period and beyond by not drinking and driving.

To raise awareness of the consequences of drink driving, Leeds City Council’s Influencing Travel Behaviour Team are holding a Drink Drive awareness event this week.

Members of the public will be encouraged to test out beer goggles to stimulate the effects of alcohol impairment and will be offered information about alternative travel options in and around Leeds.

The event will be held on Thursday 13 December between 10am – 2:30pm at Lands Lane in the city centre.

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When: Thursday 13 December at 12 – 1pm.

Where: Lands Lane, Leeds City Centre.

Members of the media are invited to attend the Drink Drive awareness event this week. Photo/filming opportunities will be available as well as interview opportunities with Councillor Richard Lewis.

Media are kindly requested to email Toni.Tankard@leeds.gov.uk to confirm attendance.

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Leeds City Council’s annual Drink Drive campaign started on Saturday 1 December and will run throughout the month to enforce the message that drink driving is unacceptable and that there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel when you are under the influence of alcohol.

The campaign also emphasises the message that individuals that are caught over the limit the morning after a night out will be treated like any other drink driver, with alcohol taking much longer than most people think to pass through the body.

There is also an emphasis on the consequences of driving under the influence of drugs which has equally as detrimental outcomes as drink driving.

Over recent years, great progress has been made in reducing drink/drug driving. However, research shows that a small minority of people are still prepared to consume alcohol or drugs before getting behind the wheel.

Between 2013 and 2016 drink and drive collisions in Leeds increased from 32 to 49; of which the casualty rate increased from 57 to 77.

In 2017, the number of fatal or serious injury drink drive casualties (KSI) fell to 11 with an overall reduction of casualties to 67.

This year, Leeds City Council are being supported by West Yorkshire Police and Public Health in a bid to spread key messages surrounding drink driving and to further reduce the road collisions and casualties involving alcohol and drugs.

Councillor Richard Lewis, executive member for regeneration, transport and planning said:

“Leeds City Council is committed to providing a safe environment for all who travel on our roads. This festive period the message is clear, if you’ve had a drink or are under the influence of drugs, don’t drive. The results could be life changing for you, your passengers and other road users around you.

“If you are out and about this Christmas, assign a designated driver, book a taxi or use public transport to get home. We want to continue to emphasise this message and make drink driving socially unacceptable no matter what age you are.”

Police Sergeant Gary Roper, West Yorkshire Police Roads Policing Unit said:

“As we head into the Christmas season I would remind people to consider their travelling arrangements if they are out and about and not to drink or drug drive.

“No one wants an officer on their doorstep telling them their loved one is never coming home, especially not due to a drink or drug driver. We want everyone travelling on our roads this Christmas to be safe. The consequences of drink or drug driving could be devastating so I urge people to do the right thing and don’t drink or drug drive.”

For more information on drink/drug driving, visit: www.leeds.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/connecting-leeds-and-transforming-travel/road-safety and follow @SaferRoadsLeeds on twitter.

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For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing

Tel: 0113 378 6007

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk