Operation Blitzen: Woman in Sheffield among first charged in Christmas drink-driving campaign
A woman in her 30s could “lose her licence” after being stopped by police as part of a Christmas drink-driving campaign.
South Yorkshire Police has enacted Operation Blitzen to stop drink-drivers taking their chances during the festive season.
Extra patrols are taking place in pubs and bars, as well as stepping up vehicle stops to catch drivers who are drunk or on drugs behind the wheel.
Now, one woman in her 30s has reportedly become one of the first to be caught by officers on patrol.
Ecclesfield & Shiregreen NPT reported on December 8: “Tonight, as part of these patrols a female in her 30s was arrested for drink driving and charged to appear before magistrates where she will likely lose her licence. Don’t run the risk!”
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.
Local organisations 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.
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.
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.