Police turn to video to cut number of women drink drivers

The film, featuring Doncaster actress Sarah Powell, was created by West Yorkshire Police because of the high number of young drivers charged with drink-driving offences so far this month.

Almost two thirds of those charged in connection with drink driving since the start of December have been aged 35 or under with the youngest two 18-year-old men. Out of 66 people charged so far this month, 41 have been aged 35 or under.

The film ‘It’s Not Worth The Risk’ shows a woman recalling a night-out in a series of flashbacks over the decisions she makes and their likely consequences.

Police say that in West Yorkshire, the proportion of women charged with drink or drug driving offences has risen for each of the last five years. This trend is repeated across the country.

Inspector Joanne Field, who leads West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said: ‘‘The amount of young people we have seen getting behind the wheel after drinking is a very concerning trend.

“We hope the film, which I think is really impactive and quite realistic from my experience, will make people think twice before contemplating driving while under the influence.

“Young people, mainly in their twenties, have grown up with the current drink driving laws and the figures are not what you might expect to see.

“Aside from the very obvious dangers associated with drink driving, young people have their whole lives ahead of them and many will be in the early stages of forging a career and may also have a young family to ferry about.’’