MOTORISTS are being reminded about the dangers of drink and drug driving as the latest figures show impaired drivers are involved in a growing percentage of road collisions – with seven people killed in the region last year.
Road Safety GB North East (RSGB NE) is being joined by the police and fire services in urging people to either be the designated driver or to leave their car keys at home when out celebrating in the run up to Christmas.
Cheryl Ford-Lyddon, chair of RSGB NE, said: “We know this Christmas is going to be special to a lot of people, but as we head into the festive season, we want to remind people not to get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs.
“When people are making plans, they should be planning their transport home as well. Don’t leave it to the last minute as that is when poor decisions are made.
“Decide early on if you’re going to drink or drive. You can’t do both.”
If you're drinking beer there are approximately 2.3 units in a pint and 1.6 units in a bottle.
A 175ml glass of wine has 2.3 units, while a single shot of spirit is one unit and an alcopop is 1.1 unit.
Figures shows 1,156 people have been injured or killed in the region during the last five years in collision involving a driver who was over the limit.
Some 274 were seriously injured and 27 were killed.
Last year, despite lockdowns which meant there were fewer people on the roads, seven people died in collisions involving an impaired driver – the highest rate in the region since 2014.
This Christmas, drivers are being urged to have no alcoholic drinks if getting behind the wheel, and to think about the morning after.
Motorists are reminded it takes roughly one hour for one unit of alcohol to leave their system.
Ms Ford-Lyddon said the number of overall drink and drug driving collisions had fallen during the last five years, but the Covid lockdowns had distorted the figures.
However, she said, the percentage of road casualties involving a drink-drug driver had increased year on year, when compared to the total number of injuries.
In 2016, seven per cent of road casualties were linked to a drink-drug driver. Last year that figure rose to 12 per cent.
Chief Inspector Ian Cutty, of Northumbria Police, said: “We know that people will want to enjoy a drink with loved ones this festive period but we’re urging people to think before they drink.
“Don’t get behind the wheel of a vehicle when you have been drinking. Your decision could result in a serious or fatal injury and it could have devastating and irreversible consequences for more than one family this Christmas.
“Also, if you need to drive the next morning then make sure you drink responsibly the night before. Don’t get behind the wheel until you know it’s safe to do so.”
Steve Johnson, area manager of Cleveland Fire Brigade, all too often, results in more than bent metal. Lives can be destroyed.
“We can all play a part in keeping our roads safe. Make it ‘none for the road’ and stay safe this winter.”
Peter Slater, from Road Safety GB NE, which is made up of local authority road safety teams from across the region, said: “We know people are looking forward to getting together once more at Christmas, but we’re urging people to think about their actions.
“Ask yourself, could you live with it if you were responsible for hurting or killing someone, or if you allowed a friend or relative to drive impaired?
“Speak up. It could save a life.”
In the last five years, County Durham, which has the largest road network in the region, had seven fatal collisions involving a driver who was over the limit – the highest in the North East.
There were a total of 209 collisions involving a drink/drug driving.
In Darlington, there were 37 collisions and two fatalities, while in Teesside the figures stood at 330 and seven respectively.
Local Authority
Fatal
Serious
Slight
Total
County Durham
7
53
149
209
Darlington
2
10
25
37
Gateshead
0
16
85
101
Hartlepool
1
17
55
73
Middlesbrough
2
18
46
66
Newcastle upon Tyne
2
23
87
112
North Tyneside
1
14
46
61
Northumberland
4
39
91
134
Redcar and Cleveland
2
16
55
73
South Tyneside
2
11
47
60
Stockton-on-Tees
2
30
86
118
Sunderland
2
27
83
112
Total
27
274
855
1,156
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here