More than one life is at risk when you drink or drug drive

This year, students from Abingdon and Witney College have been working in partnership with Thames Valley Police (TVP) on a drink and drug driving video project.

Ministry of Justice statistics show convictions for driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drink or drugs overall, increased from 41,457 in 2014 to 58,117 in 2022 – a rise of 40%, putting other people’s lives at risk and in some of the worst cases causing irreversible damage.

Latest estimates from the Department for Transport show that in 2021, the latest year for which figures are available:

• 260 people were killed in drink-drive collisions on Britain’s roads, the highest figure in 12 years.
• Almost 2,500 people were killed or injured in relation to drug-driving, representing a surge of more than 260% since 2012.
• And as of January 2022, 44% of drug drivers caught are repeat offenders.

As part of our work to improve engagement with young people and the police, Creative Media students from Abingdon and Witney College have worked hard to produce videos to show the dangers of drink and drug driving. Students were given a short brief and worked in small groups to come up with ideas and storyboards that would best engage their peers on such serious topics with support of the police. They had complete creative freedom and as a result requested the assistance of special effects makeup artists from their college and local Abingdon recovery service, Egerton’s, to recreate a crash scene in a safe environment. Officers were also on standby to help advise on the factual elements when dealing with a road traffic collision.

The college, students and their family and friends came together in the summer to preview their work ahead of the videos featuring as part of Thames Valley Police’s road safety campaign this winter.