‘The Only One for the Road’

Ahead of the national Christmas drink drive operation launch we’re proud to announce that local Shropshire business Wenlock Spring has pledged its support to our operational activities this Christmas.

Ensuring our roads are safe for all is a 24/7 commitment for us and enforcement of the drink drive law takes place across Herefordshire, Shropshire & Worcestershire all year. However in the run up to Christmas we will be further reminding motorists of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol as part of a national police enforcement operation.

In the last three years, 23 people have died and 154 have been seriously injured in collisions across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire where alcohol has been listed as a contributory factor.

Whilst the vast majority of drivers do the right thing, across the 3 counties we arrested 156 people in the run up to last Christmas for being over the limit whilst behind the wheel.

The national police operation over the Christmas period serves as reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and the consequences that this can lead to. There is no fool-proof way of calculating how much you can drink and remain under the limit, or knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely.

Any amount of alcohol can affect your ability to drive and there are numerous consequences of driving with alcohol in your system. 'The Only One for the Road', the campaign from Wenlock Spring is encouraging drivers not to risk even one alcoholic drink if they are driving.

Superintendent Steph Brighton, for West Mercia Police, said: “It’s extremely frustrating that some motorists inexcusably still drive under the influence of alcohol. There is no foolproof way of calculating how much you can drink and remain under the limit, or knowing how much an individual person can drink and still drive safely. Any amount of alcohol can affect your ability to drive and there are numerous consequences of driving with alcohol in your system. Enforcement already takes place 24/7 across the whole of our area in order to detect those who are willing to take the risk and to protect other road users. We welcome campaigns such as this and hope that more people over the Christmas period choose a suitable alternative to alcohol if they are driving.”

Matthew Orme, director at Wenlock Spring, said: “Far too many people are still dying or getting injured as a result of drink-driving, which is why we’re proud to be launching a new campaign which carries a positive message and will help raise awareness of the risks. Highlighting the dangers of people getting behind the wheel after they have had a drink becomes even more important as we approach the festive season, which is often a time when it is very easy for people to over-indulge. Working in partnership with West Mercia Police, we hope to change people’s attitudes and remind them to think twice before picking up an alcoholic drink if they’re in charge of the keys.”

PCC John Campion said: “It is a sad fact that too many people die or are seriously injured on our roads. As set out in my Safer West Mercia Plan, I remain committed to tackling the issue to make our roads safer. Since 2022, I have made an investment of £900,000 into West Mercia Police to make roads safer and I will continue to invest and support campaigns of this kind to make change.”

Marc Milward, Area Manager from Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service, which is also backing the campaign, added: “We are pleased to be supporting Wenlock Spring’s campaign which has such an important safety message. Road traffic collisions are one of the most common types of incidents we attend and often lead to some of the worst injuries. Even one alcoholic drink can affect the way you drive so if you’re going out ensure there is a designated non-drinking driver or you have planned an alternative way to get home. If you have been drinking please remember you may still be over the limit the next day. So please allow enough time for alcohol to leave your system before you get behind the wheel.”