Fans urged to give drink and drug driving the boot during the World Cup

None for the road: Pictured cheering on England at the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough are PC Vicky Carr-Duffy and PC Neil Armstrong, both of Cleveland Police, with Linthorpe Community Primary School pupils Adam, Zeenat, Omar and Blessing.

People planning to enjoy the FIFA World Cup are being urged to leave their car at home after the latest figures showed a quarter of road fatalities in the region last year involved a drink/drug driver – the highest number in five years.

Newly released figures show that in 2025, drivers impaired by drugs featured more frequently than drivers impaired by alcohol, with drugs featuring in 80% of impaired collisions, compared with 63% featuring alcohol, and 44% featuring both.

Pupils from Linthorpe Community Primary School in Middlesbrough and St Benet’s Catholic Primary School, in Ouston near Chester-le-Street, have joined Road Safety GB North East (RGSB NE) and the region’s emergency services to help keep people safe on the roads during the tournament, which kicks off in Mexico on Thursday (11 June).

“We typically see the number of collisions involving drink/drug drivers going up during major football tournaments, so we’re appealing to people to do the right thing and avoid getting behind the wheel after drink or drugs.” said Peter Slater, Chair of RSGB NE.

“Stick to soft drinks or plan a lift or taxi home before you go out. One error of judgment could lead to fatal consequences. Enjoy the football but make sure you and the people you care about don’t take risks this summer.”

Peter said with the tournament taking place in the US, Mexico and Canada, all of the games will run late into the night and early hours in the UK, meaning people may still be over the limit the next morning.

Headteacher of Linthorpe Community Primary School Grace Mitchell said: “There’s a strong sense of excitement across our diverse school community as we look forward to the football this summer. We are proud to support this important road safety campaign, reminding our community never to mix drink or drugs with driving and always to make safety a top priority for themselves and others.”

Headteacher of St Benet’s Primary School Catherine Young said: “The children are buzzing with excitement for the football, and as a school we are proud to support the road safety campaign – helping to protect our pupils, families, and wider community by raising awareness of the dangers on our roads and encouraging everyone to make responsible choices by never mixing drink or drugs with driving this summer.”

Between 2021 and 2025, 1,315 people were injured in the North East in collisions involving a suspected drink/drug driver. Of those, 57 were tragically killed and 482 were seriously injured.

Don’t drive impaired: Pictured cheering on England at the Angel of the North in Gateshead are, Silas Walton, James O’Boyle, David Cowley, Steve Thomas, Colin Wooster, of Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Service, Graham Dodds, of Northumbria Police RSGB NE Deputy Chair Angela Redmond, who is Road Safety Officer at Durham County Council, and St Benet’s Catholic Primary School pupils Oliver, Luke and Ari.

During the 2022 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2024, the region saw an increase in drink/drug driving injuries on the day of and the day after England’s matches, with more than 60% of those injuries happening on match day.

On those days, drink/drug driving injuries rose from 5% to 13% of all injuries, while the proportion resulting in serious injury increased from 11% to 22%.

England’s first game of the 2026 World Cup tournament is due to take place at 9pm on Wednesday, June 17, when the team takes on Croatia.

Steve Thomas, Head of Prevention and Education at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), said: “As we look to cheer on our teams at the World Cup, our main goal is to keep people safe on the roads and in the local community. We would urge people not to drive whilst under the influence of drink or drugs. Let’s all be winners this Summer. Stay Safe.”

Chief Inspector Alan Pitchford, of Northumbria Police, said: “Our message to fans remains a very simple one – don’t get behind the wheel when you’ve been drinking or using drugs. If you know you’re going to be out drinking, leave your vehicle at home and arrange for someone to pick you up or book a taxi instead. And if you are drinking while watching one of the tournament’s late night or early morning games, make sure that you don’t drink excessively so that you are over the limit the next day.”

Strategic Roads Policing Inspector Andy Howarth, of Durham Roads and Armed Policing Unit, said: “We see firsthand the devastation that driving under the influence causes – it rips families apart and causes unimaginable suffering. Officers will be carrying out extra drink and drug drive checks whilst the World Cup is on. Make this World Cup memorable for the right reasons, not the life-destroying ones.”

It takes roughly one hour for one unit of alcohol to leave your body, but it could take longer depending on your gender, body type, size, and whether you have consumed food or medication. A large glass of wine or a strong pint of beer contains three units, which will take at least three hours to leave your system.

Station Manager Kevin Bell, of Darlington and Durham Fire, said: “Drink and drug driving has devastating consequences, not only for the victims and their families, but also for the emergency services. Our firefighters regularly witness the traumatic aftermath of completely preventable collisions. We urge all drivers to make the right choice: never get behind the wheel if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

Acting Sergeant David State, at Cleveland Police, said: “Alcohol and drugs can stay in your system far longer than many people realise. You can still be over the limit the following morning and if you choose to drive, you are taking that risk knowingly. There are no excuses. Driving under the influence is a deliberate decision that puts innocent lives in danger. Everyone has the right to use our roads safely and if you ignore that, you will face the consequences.”

A Spokesperson from Cleveland Fire Brigade said: “We attend many road traffic collisions, a significant number of which are preventable, including those caused by drink and drug driving. If you are driving, do not drink alcohol or take drugs. Plan ahead, choose a sober driver, and remember that driving is a privilege, not a right.”