Think before you drink.

During the run up to Christmas there are likely to be more work dos and social occasions that mean some of us will be celebrating with a drink or two 🍻

If you are drinking this festive season

✍ Plan ahead to make sure you can get home safely (a lift, taxi, The Robin or a bus)
🚌 Use our ThinkTravel content for easy journey planning
🚖 Transport is often less frequent in rural areas so take this into account – plan ahead
🤗 Respect those around you who choose not to drink – don’t make anyone uncomfortable
🚫 Never buy someone a drink without asking first and don’t buy an alcoholic drink for drivers
👯‍♂️ Make sure that your friends or colleagues have a safe plan to get home
🚘 Don’t get into a car with someone who has been drinking and challenge anyone who has been drinking if they’re considering driving

If you are driving this festive season

Make it clear from the start that you don’t plan on drinking
Your car, your rules - don’t allow friends to pressure you to have 'just one'
Indulge yourself in a zero alcohol beverage or mocktail instead
It might be a bit preppy, but why not make sure your car is safe for winter travel

Roadside drug and alcohol testing will be increased

There will be increased police presence on the roads over the festive period. The police can test you at the roadside or at the police station for alcohol consumption and drug use.

Hear from Superintendent Jessica Loxley-Clark, Head of Specialist Operations from Gloucestershire Constabulary

"Drink or drug driving will not be tolerated here in Gloucestershire. We will be conducting roadside operations across the county including those focusing on the morning after.

Losing your driving license can have a major impact on your life and lifestyle so please do think twice before you take a risk and get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Drugs, whether they are illegal or prescribed, can stay in your system for many weeks after being taken which can cause a massive risk to both yourself and other road users.

With festive catch ups and get togethers fast approaching motorists are reminded to plan ahead and think about how they will get home, be it appointing a designated driver, booking a taxi or using public transport. Do not take the risk – it could cost lives."

The only choice is to choose not to

Drink and drug driving is not only a risk to yourself, but a risk to others too.

The influence of alcohol or drugs not only impairs your ability to drive, but puts everyone on the road at risk of a collision.

Alcohol affects everybody differently. This could be age, weight, gender, metabolism to sleep, stress or diet. Even “just one” could impact on your ability to drive safely.

If you’re driving home this Christmas, staying sober is the only option. Whether it's at the end of the night or the morning after, you may still have alcohol in your system and therefore you cannot safely drive.

Don’t take the chance.

Face the penalty

The police will be roadside across the period, morning and night to test drivers for alcohol and drug use.

In 2023, 122 road users were arrested for drink or drug driving offences over the festive period (up from 97 in 2022). 73 arrests were drink related (up from 46 in 2022) and 49 were drug related (up from 38 in 2022). 13 people were arrested in 2022 for failing to provide a specimen.

If caught driving over the limit you will receive:

✔ A criminal record
✔ A maximum penalty of 6 months in prison
✔ An unlimited fine
✔ An automatic driving ban for at least 1 year

Struggling with addiction?

CGL (Change Grow Live) Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service Gloucestershire is a free and confidential drug and alcohol service commissioned by Gloucestershire County Council. To make a referral please phone 01452 223014 or email: gloucestershire.info@cgl.org.uk