Drivers warned 'Your Car Can't Say No' as part of new drink and drug driving awareness campaign

Safer Roads Greater Manchester (SRGM) has launched an innovative campaign offering a new perspective on the dangers of driving after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

‘Your Car Can’t Say No’ is a warning that there is no safe level of drinking or drug use if you are going to be driving, and that getting behind the wheel while under the influence means there is an increased likelihood of being in a collision which can have serious – and potentially fatal – consequences.

The campaign is driven by a series of videos showing three seemingly sober people approaching their car in human form, which begins to have a back-and-forth conversation with their driver and advises them against driving.

Each person ignores their car’s advice and “gets behind the wheel” by hopping on their back before suddenly being brought back to reality having crashed their car, without realising how drunk they are – even the morning after drinking or taking drugs.

It is not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit, so Safer Roads Greater Manchester strongly recommends having none for the road.

The way alcohol affects you depends on the type and amount of alcohol you’re drinking, what you’ve eaten recently, your stress levels at the time, your weight, height and so on. The same applies for legal and illegal drugs.

 

 

Peter Boulton, TfGM’s Head of Highways, said: “Anyone who decides to drive after drinking or taking drugs must be prepared for the consequences that follow. They are putting themselves and others in danger, and also risk ending up with a criminal record, a driving ban or a prison sentence.

“While some of the videos we are sharing as part of the Your Car Can’t Say No campaign are intentionally light-hearted, the issue at their centre is a really serious one. Each of the drivers shown in the videos are confronted with the reality  of the consequences of their actions.

“I hope this campaign encourages people thinking of having a drink to leave their car at home and stay safe because the likelihood of getting caught, or causing real harm to themselves and others, are high, and the risks are simply not worthwhile.”

There has been a significant increase in arrests for drink and drug driving in Greater Manchester, and offenders are now much more likely to get caught.

In 2022 drink and drug driving arrests in Greater Manchester doubled compared to 2019. A quick roadside breath or drug test is all it takes.

Data published this week by the Department of Transport also showed an estimated 240 fatal drink-drive collisions in 2021 across the UK, which is the highest level since 2009.

Superintendent Gareth Parkin said: “Drink and drug driving is one the ‘fatal four’ alongside speeding, use of mobile devices and the failure to wear seatbelts. Simply put, drink and drug driving costs lives. 

“Any amount of alcohol or drugs in your system can affect your judgement or ability to drive safe, so make sure you allow enough time before getting behind the wheel.

 

 

“You’re more likely to engage in risk taking behaviour after drinking, which can mean your driving is more dangerous. This puts you and other road users at risk, with often devastating consequences.

“This innovative from Safer Roads Greater Manchester is another step in our commitment to rid the roads of careless drivers, and we hope these videos will inform and educate those who are thinking about driving under the influence of drink and drugs.”

In England, the legal alcohol limit for drivers is:

• 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath
• 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood
• 107 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine

It is also an offence to drive with any of 17 controlled drugs above a specified level in your blood – this includes illegal and medical drugs.

The legal penalties for drink and drug driving are the same. If you are convicted, you could face a minimum 12-month driving ban, a criminal record, a significant fine, up to six months in prison or an endorsement on your licence for 11 years.

The maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drugs or drink is life in prison, with a minimum driving ban of five years.

There are also everyday consequences, such as increase in car insurance costs, job loss and the shame of having a criminal record.