It’s just not worth the risk.

That is the message being broadcast by Huddersfield police, as they try and slam the brakes on drink and drug drivers this Christmas.

Despite a glass of bubbly coming hand in hand with the festive season, West Yorkshire Police are running a huge campaign to highlight the dangers of getting behind the wheel afterwards, and are urging anyone who knows someone to do so to “dob them in”.

Insp Joanne Field, who leads West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “We’re asking people to consider the real impact of those they see or know regularly drinks or uses drugs before driving and have made it easier than ever to ‘dob in a driver’.

West Yorkshire Police are clamping down on drink driving this festive season
West Yorkshire Police are clamping down on drink driving this festive season

“We want those who witness someone clearly drinking too much to drive to call us, but we’d like to encourage people to think about the people they see or know who regularly drink and drive and report them too.”

The force yesterday revealed details of people arrested this month for ignoring the law, with two arrests alone made on one Fartown street in just two days.

Two 19-year-old males were charged on two separate occasions with driving over the prescribed limit at Alder Street on the morning of Wednesday, December 9, and the following day.

A breathalyser machine
A breathalyser machine

A 50-year-old woman was charged with the same offence after being stopped at junction 26 on the M62 near Cleckheaton, while a 49-year-old male was similarly charged on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 8, at Armitage Road in Armitage Bridge.

Police revealed that 26 people were charged for drink and drug driving in Kirklees last December, with the most common ageing between 25 and 34 years.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

Insp Field added: “Driving while under the influence of drink or drugs is always a significant danger, but at Christmas the risks are even more prevalent with darker nights, bad weather.”

Anyone convicted for drink driving can find themselves with a criminal record, a driving ban of at least a year and a fine of up to £5,000.

Asst Chief Constable Mark Milsom said: “It’s vitally important these people, many of whom will be forging their careers and who may have a young family, realise the life-limiting consequences associated with a drink or drug driving conviction.”

To notify police of a driver at risk, call 101 or visit the West Yorkshire Police website.