Good Morning:

Drink and drug drive campaign update #howrugetting 🏠

On Tuesday 01 July we launched our Summer drink and drug drive campaign with a hard-hitting social media reel asking people to think about their choice of transport after using alcohol. 

Since the campaign started, on Tuesday 01 July 2025, daily we are carrying out increased patrols at key locations for breathalyser and drugs testing. 

In just 16 days, we have made 55 arrests for drink or drug driving.

One of the highest readings was on Friday 04 July in Ripon. A Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) was on mobile patrol at 11.15pm on the A61 when he observed a vehicle driving erratically. Concerned for the safety of the driver and other road users, he immediately alerted our Force Control Room. The vehicle pulled into the McDonalds car park in Ripon, when the PCSO took swift action by blocking it in a bay. 

A short time later local response officers breathalysed the driver, a woman in her 40s, who provided a reading over four times the legal limit (151) she was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. In custody, she provided a lower reading of 147 and was later charged with drink driving. 

#howrugetting 🏠

As part of our Summer campaign, we are promoting our message asking people to think about their choice of transport home after consuming alcohol. 

Our social media reel which went live on 01 July has had over 200,000 views. The reel features two men in their 20s as we find that they are over-represented in drink drive casualties. 

Inspector Clive Turner from North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group said: “Increased patrols around the clock, a hard hitting visual social media campaign, we are trying to get this life-saving message out there which makes it disappointing to see 55 arrests in just 16 days.

“If you think you are safe to drive after drinking or taking drugs, think again. Even the slightest amount of alcohol or drugs in your system can affect the way you drive. 

“As the Summer campaign continues, we will take a relentless approach to drink and drug driving in North Yorkshire.”