When Staffordshire Police asked us to produce a video for their drink driving awareness campaign, I was grateful to be involved. We'd worked with them on previous campaigns and found it really rewarding. But the story that emerged when we interviewed Harrison King and PC Jason Hughes was far more powerful than I ever expected. Harrison escaped death, if not by a hair's breadth, then close enough.
After a night out in Uttoxeter Harrison ended up behind the wheel, and the consequences were very nearly fatal. His car had slammed into some railings with such force that they pierced the windscreen, hitting Harrison. Fortunately it was a glancing blow, but it was still enough to leave Harrison with a horrific head wound and a broken cheekbone. He sustained other injuries in the crash, but has made a full recovery and is now the face of the Staffordshire Police Campaign. Having spoken to him I know how badly he wants others to learn from his mistakes and stop more incidents like his.
I must give a mention to the great job done by the police on the night of Harrison's crash, in particular PC Hughes. He acted quickly, getting Harrison out of the burning car and wrapping his wounds. When we were filming I also bumped into Special Inspector Adrian Bostock from the wildlife and rural crime team. We remembered each other from filming a video series on the Staffordshire Special Constabulary earlier in the year, another project which highlights the great work done by volunteers.
Between 2011 and 2014, Staffordshire Police arrested nearly 5,000 drink drivers, and 95% of those were convicted. But, the consequences can be far worse than criminal charges, as Harrison, his friends and his family found out.
Drink driving: Know the penalties
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