West Midlands Police – Christmas Drink-Driving Safety Message

Resident — As the festive season approaches, West Midlands Police are reminding everyone in Wolverhampton and across the region that drink-driving is a serious criminal offence with devastating consequences — for drivers, passengers, and loved ones alike.

Every year at Christmas the roads become busier with motorists travelling to festive parties, family gatherings, and celebrations. Unfortunately, for some, this leads to poor decisions around alcohol and driving. To tackle this, officers are taking part in Operation Limit, a national campaign targeting drink and drug drivers throughout December and beyond.

Increased Police Activity and Safety Checks

West Midlands Police road safety teams are out in force carrying out extra roadside checks, breath tests, and intelligence-led patrols designed to catch anyone breaking the law. Officers will be stopping vehicles to check motorists for alcohol and drugs — and no one is immune from enforcement.

Police are urging drivers to remember that alcohol can remain in your system long after you’ve finished drinking — meaning you could still be over the legal limit the next morning.

Legal Consequences

In the UK, driving with excess alcohol or drugs in your system carries serious penalties, including:

Arrest and criminal charges

A possible driving ban

A hefty fine and criminal record

In more serious cases, imprisonment

Long-term impacts on employment, travel, and insurance

These outcomes don’t just affect you — they affect families and communities.

There is no fool-proof way to calculate how much you can drink and remain under the limit, and individual tolerance varies widely. Even small amounts of alcohol can slow reaction times, impair judgement, and contribute to collisions that can be fatal.

The Human Cost

Police and partner agencies continue to highlight that tragic collisions and loss of life are preventable. Drink-driving doesn’t just risk your licence — it can destroy lives. Families are left grieving and communities are deeply affected when collisions occur due to someone choosing to drive under the influence.

Tips for a Safer Christmas

West Midlands Police are urging residents to:

Plan your journey home in advance — book a taxi or arrange a designated driver

Avoid driving if you’ve been drinking — even one drink can affect your ability to drive

Look out for friends and family — stop them getting behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking

Use public transport where possible or stay over rather than drive

These simple steps can save lives and ensure Christmas remains a time for celebration, not tragedy.

For emergency assistance, always call 999. To report suspected drink-driving, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.

**West Midlands Police wishes everyone a safe and happy Christmas — please don’t drink and drive.**