"Enjoy the footie but don't drink and drive"

DRIVERS are being warned not to drink too much if they are out celebrating the forthcoming Euro football championship.

South Yorkshire Police said many people may enjoy watching the matches at places where alcohol is served — and urged drivers to leave their cars at home.

Officers will be out across South Yorkshire during the tournament checking anybody they suspect may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Sgt Lee Beck, from South Yorkshire Police's roads policing unit, said: “There is a lot of excitement around the Euros, and I, like everybody else, can’t wait to watch the games. We certainly don’t want to stop anybody from enjoying the matches, but if you are drinking don’t take the car and arrange a safe way to get home. If you’re with a friend or family member who has been drinking and plans to drive, stop them and help them get home safely.

“Alcohol can stay in your system for longer than you think, so you could still be over the limit the next morning. Don’t take the risk and let last night spoil your life.

“Last year 1,361 people failed their breath test in South Yorkshire. Don’t become one of these statistics.”

As part of the campaign, the police will be using posters and advertising across billboards and digital screens throughout South Yorkshire, as well as social media to send messages out at targeted times.

The Force will be running a Twitterthon on June 11, the first England game of the championship, in which it will be tweeting out calls that come into 101 from 4pm until midnight to show the demand on the force, as well as promoting messages of responsible drinking. Use #DrinkSafeSY to join in.