Are You Mate Enough to speak up and save Christmas?

Barnsley Council is proud to be joining South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) in supporting the national campaign to tackle drink and drug driving this festive season, joining forces with local road safety partners, football clubs and licenced venues to help keep our communities safe. 

Councillor James Higginbottom, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment and Highways, said: “We’re committed to making our roads safer for everyone, especially during the festive season.”  

“By supporting the ‘Are You Mate Enough’ campaign, we’re encouraging everyone in Barnsley and wider South Yorkshire to look out for one another and take a stand against drink and drug driving. That means not only making sure you never drive under the influence yourself, but also checking in with friends and family by offering them a safe lift home, helping them arrange a taxi, or simply reminding them of the risks. Together, by speaking up and supporting those around us, we can help prevent tragedies and ensure that families across our borough can enjoy a safe and happy Christmas.” 

In Great Britain, around 260 people are killed in drink drive collisions every year with a spike in crashes during the Christmas and New Year festivities. 

We are teaming up with the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership (SYSRP) to spread awareness about the dangers of impaired driving as well as calling on mates to have a word when they think a friend or colleague is not safe to drive. 

“Tackling drink driving is a shared responsibility and the only way to stop it happening, is if we all work together,” said South Yorkshire Deputy Mayor Kilvinder Vigurs. 

“We are delighted to have the support of South Yorkshire organisations who want their fans and customers to stay safe. 

“If you are heading out to celebrate and have a drink, please plan ahead. Book taxis, agree a designated driver or use public transport. It is not always easy but please have that difficult conversation with friends and speak up because you could save a life. 

“There is no need to take risks. You can still enjoy yourselves knowing that everyone will take their seat at the Christmas dinner table and see in the New Year.” 

The ‘Are You Mate Enough’ campaign forms part of an annual police operation called Op Limit which was launched to combat the seasonal rise in crashes where the driver is over the legal limit. 

And while officers deal with drink driving offences 365 days of the year, local neighbourhood teams will increase visibility around the nighttime economy during the festive season. 

Roads Policing Inspector Matt Collings said: “Drink driving is one of leading causes of people being killed or seriously injured in a crash. 

“Our officers see the devastation first hand whether it’s attending the collision, or knocking on the door of a family member to tell them their loved one isn’t coming home. 

“We want to work with you to stop people taking risks in the first place. Will you be the mate that takes the keys off a friend? Will you be the mate that drinks 0% beer and gets everyone home safe? 

“Will you be the mate that reminds everyone about their kids waiting at home for them?” 

Drink driving can ruin people’s lives, including your own. If you are caught driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through drink, you risk six months’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and a ban from driving for at least one year (three years if convicted twice in 10 years). 

Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink risks life imprisonment, an unlimited fine, a ban from driving for at least five years and an extended driving test before your licence is returned. 

A conviction for drink-driving also means your car insurance costs will increase significantly. If you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction on your licence and you may have trouble travelling to countries like the USA. 

You can follow the campaign on social media via #OpLimit.