Dramatic drink drive ‘crash’ serves up a stark warning

A simulated crash was staged in Bradford’s Centenary Square yesterday, complete with an ‘injured’ passenger who was cut free from a wrecked vehicle.

The simulated emergency response, One for the Road, is part of a campaign by emergency services, Bradford Council and alcohol agencies to raise awareness of the consequences of drink driving.

It began with a driver on a simulator and ended with them under arrest and their passenger injured.

According to Bradford Council, drink driving crash rates in the Bradford district are lower than the national average but agencies are keen to reduce the number of incidents.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Jim Butters said: “Clearly this event is just a simulation, the reality is very traumatic for everyone involved.

“We want people to think carefully before they consider getting behind the wheel after drinking.”

Paul Mudd, of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, said: “Ambulance clinicians often witness first-hand the devastation caused by drink driving and are faced with treating patients who have sustained horrific and sometimes fatal injuries.”