DRUG-DRIVING motorists who continue to risk theirs and other people’s lives have been warned they will be caught - after it was revealed Barnsley’s six neighbourhood policing teams have been put on high alert to clamp down on offenders.
The Chronicle can reveal significant inroads have been made in recent months with improving conviction rates, with particular successes in the Barnsley North East Neighbourhood Policing Team’s district which covers villages such as Cudworth, Grimethorpe and Shafton.
The police say a key part of the recent purple patch - which has seen dozens of stops and roadside checks carried out in the first months of 2025 - has been the public’s willingness to report those who they have suspicions about.
Inspector Richard Mangham told the Chronicle: “A lot of good work has been done across the borough as we’re fully aware just how damaging drug-driving and its impacts can be.
“One in five fatal crashes are attributed to drugs - under-the-influence drivers’ response times are much slower - and so there’s been a proactive crackdown on motorists who continue to drive whilst under the influence.
“A key part of the recent successes has been the public - they’ve made us aware of people who they think are getting behind the wheel when they shouldn’t.
“That help’s been invaluable in tracking down offenders and more often than not their reports have resulted in arrests.
“The message to drug-drivers is this: if you’re over the legal limit, you will be caught and you will face a severe punishment.”
Drivers caught and convicted of drug-driving can receive a minimum 12-month driving ban, a criminal record, a hefty fine or up to six months in prison.
They will also have an endorsement on their licence which will last for 11 years.
As part of South Yorkshire Police’s involvement in education, officers are supporting the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s month-long operation - dubbed Fatal Four - focusing on ‘intercepting criminality on the roads’.
Inspector Matt Collings, who heads up the force’s roads policing unit, added: “The month of action is daily business for our roads policing officers but it gives us the opportunity to further raise awareness of road safety and urge everyone to support our efforts.
“Those involved in criminality will risk their lives to evade police, our officers are highly skilled and experienced to bring them to a halt and ensure the safety of our communities.
“No-one should lose their life on the roads, and we are committed to doing all we can to ensure everyone returns home and those who brazenly flaunt the law and risk lives are put before the courts.
“Throughout this month our efforts in catching those will continue, working closely with neighbourhood teams and partners, including National Highways.
“On average we seize nine uninsured cars from local roads a day.
“Please do your part and help us create safer roads.”
