Think! Fatal 4 Offences

Greater Manchester Police has highlighted the consequences of the Fatal 4 Offences -which contribute to road traffic collisions.

Officers from the Roads Policing Unit (RPU) are undertaking proactive measures to shine the light on actions which lead to car crashes and death. 

These include driving under the influence of drink and drugs, distraction from use of mobile phones, speeding and use of seatbelts. 

Drunk driving is the second biggest cause of casualties and people killed or seriously injured. 

It is well-known how the effects of alcohol and drugs such as cannabis and cocaine can have on driving capability. 

Specialised traffic officers who are tasked with patrolling and keeping people safe on the road network around Greater Manchester are seeing the use of nitrous oxide as a trending factor in incidents they attend, which is a banned Class C drug since November 2023. 

Nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’ is reported to produce euphoria, relaxation, dizziness, giggling or laughing fits, impaired judgement and occasionally dissociation and hallucinations.  

This has a deleterious effect on reaction time and likely to lead to impairment in driving performance, particularly when faced with an unexpected or hazardous situation. 

Officers use a range of tactics, vehicles and specialist resources to protect communities by disrupting criminal activity to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads and use education and enforcement at roadside operations to check and test motorists. 

Key statistics around drink and drug driving 

• In February 2025, a total of 5,288 traffic incidents were recorded, 11 per cent less than January and a 12 per cent decrease from the six-month average.  

• 577 incidents relating to drink or drug driving were recorded in February 2025, an 18 per cent decrease from January. The number of incidents recorded in February 2025 was 15 per cent lower than February 2024.   

• The total number of incidents decreased by 6 per cent in the current 12-month period compared to the previous 12 months.    

• 436 drink and drug drive arrests were made across Greater Manchester in February, 6 per cent fewer than the month before.  

Chief Inspector Michael Parker from the Roads Policing Unit said: “Being under the influence of drink or drugs when behind the wheel can severely impair your capability to drive and puts lives at serious risk. 

“As a unit we are constantly patrolling the road network to catch those who are intent on breaking the law, whether that be dangerous driving, driving under the influence or having no insurance.  

“Our proactive approach to keeping the roads safe is working as it can be evidenced that we have seen a 4 per cent decrease in traffic related incidents across Greater Manchester over the last 12 months. 

“The consequences of drink and drug driving outweigh the risk of trying to get away with it, which includes substantial fines, driving bans and jail sentences. As it takes time to leave your system motorists may be unaware that they could still be under the influence the next day. Coffee, breakfast or paracetamol won’t sober you up, only time will.” 

GMP is committed to working with road safety partners across Greater Manchester on Vision Zero – their approach to end deaths and life-changing injuries on the roads by 2040. 

For more key information on drink and drug driving, the effects and consequences of breaking the law, visit: Alcohol and drug driving | Greater Manchester Police  

To report a dangerous or irresponsible driver, call 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also submit dash or cycle cam footage on website under Operation Snap: Operation Snap | Greater Manchester Police