People driving home for Christmas – or anywhere else over the festive period – are being warned that there is no safe level of drinking or drug use if they are planning to get behind the wheel.
The Your Car Can’t Say No campaign, which was first launched by Safer Roads Greater Manchester in the summer, offers a unique perspective on the dangers of driving after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
December is one of the busiest times of the year for drink and drug driving arrests with police stopping drivers in the morning and evening to check their alcohol levels.
Videos released as part of the Your Car Can’t Say No campaign show two people leaving Christmas parties after drinking or taking drugs and approaching their car which has taken the form of a person.
A back-and-forth conversation ensues which sees the driver ignore their car’s advice before ‘getting behind the wheel’ by jumping on their back and being brought sharply back to reality having crashed their car into an inflatable Father Christmas or Christmas tree.
Peter Boulton, Transport for Greater Manchester’s head of highways, said: “Someone driving over the drink driving limit, or driving under the influence of drugs, is not only breaking the law but can also put their own lives – and the lives of others – at risk.
“I hope this campaign encourages people thinking of having a drink to leave their car at home and stay safe because it’s more likely they will get caught, or harm themselves and others. It’s just not worth the risk.
“While the campaign videos are intentionally light-hearted, there can be a real human cost to drink or drug driving. This is even more poignant over Christmas when people come together with their friends and families. Don’t be the reason why someone’s loved one is not around the table on Christmas Day.”
There has been a significant increase in arrests for drink and drug driving in Greater Manchester, and offenders are now much more likely to get caught.
Between 2018 and 2022, a total of 245 people were killed or seriously injured on Greater Manchester’s roads in incidents involving a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Most of the people killed or injured – 60% – were drivers or passengers, but pedestrians are also seriously at risk, making up 15% of the casualties.
In 2022 police arrested 536 people for drink and drug driving offences in December – the highest across the entire year, and 53% higher compared to the number of arrests in January.
Supt Gareth Parkin, from Greater Manchester Police’s Specialist Operations, said: “We are proud to support Safer Roads Greater Manchester’s Your Car Can’t Say No campaign, which was first launched in the summer.
“Drink and drug driving is sadly something we have to deal with on a daily basis and we are working hard to eradicate this and rid our roads of it. Unfortunately, around the festive period arrest statistics rise in relation to drink and drug drivers in Greater Manchester, something which is completely unacceptable.
“If you are attending any work Christmas parties or even just going out for a few drinks with family and friends, please leave your vehicle parked up and get a taxi or use our fantastic public transport.
“Please watch the videos that the team over at Safer Roads Greater Manchester have created and think back to them if you ever find yourself in that situation. Don’t make this the year where your family or someone’s family suffer heartbreak and make the festivities one to remember for the right reasons.”
Comment on this story