A driver over the limit in charge of a coach full of children, a man driving while missing a tyre, and people so intoxicated they can’t speak have all been shamed as part of a police campaign to expose the dangers of drink driving.
Drink driving is especially high over the Christmas period, which, when combined with the dark and icy conditions of winter, can create lethal conditions on the road.
Estimates for 2022 show that between 290 and 320 people were killed in collisions in the UK as a result of drink driving.
Durham Constabulary has released a montage of the worst drink drivers of 2025 as part of its Christmas driving campaign Operation Limit, which showed drivers so drunk they could barely talk.
One of the clips shows bodycam footage of a police officer saying: “One of the teachers has raised concerns that you’re under the influence of alcohol and obviously, you’ve got a coach full of kids.”
The driver was found to be more than twice the legal limit while driving children into Durham city centre.
The exasperated police officer tells him: “You’re over twice the legal limit with a bus load of kids.”
The driver responds: “I can’t believe it”, to which the officer replies “well I can”.
Another clip shows a drunk van driver telling officers: “You can’t tell me what I can and can’t do.” He then falls asleep in front of stunned officers.
Another inebriated man is filmed denying driving home drunk while clearly sitting in the driving seat with his hands on the wheel.
One video shows a drink driver being arrested after crashing into a tree on the A19.
Moments later, another drunk driver smashes into the wrecked motor, narrowly missing police officers.
Another clip shows a couple who are so drunk they locked themselves inside their own car.
Other drivers are seen flying into rages as they are arrested for being over the limit, while others just don’t seem to care.
One clip shows a man face down in handcuffs saying: “Well if they’re dead, they’re dead.”
He then chuckles and says: “My life’s f***** anyway mate.”
The video also shows the low points many of the people find themselves in when they’ve been caught, as the realisation of the seriousness of the crime dawns on them.
Another man breaks down in tears and begs officers: “I’m a good lad. I’m the best of the best from this town, I’ve got a career.
The police spend a considerable amount of time detaining drunk drivers. (PA)
“I’ve got a good job, I’ve got a mortgage. I don’t cause nobody no harm.”
In another video, a man bursts into tears in the back of a police car as he begs officers, “I just wanna go home.”
Throughout the nearly eight-minute clip police officers appear at their wits’ end as they deal with drivers who are often so drunk they can not answer simple questions.
The video has already gone viral with hundreds of thousands of views and shares online.
A police spokesperson said: “Excuses, apologies, and angry slurring of words follow, but there simply is no justification for driving under the influence.
“Some of the collisions we’ve included in this video resulted in serious injuries.”
What are the punishments for drink-driving?
Drink driving is a serious crime, if you’re caught behind the wheel above the legal limit, you could face up to six months in prison, an unlimited fine, a driving ban or a combination of all three.
If police suspect you are over the limit and refuse to take a test, you can face a similar punishment.
If you are banned from driving as a result of a drink driving conviction, you may be able to reduce your ban by taking a drink-drive rehabilitation scheme course if you’re banned from driving for 12 months or more, if the court offers it to you.
If you cause a death while drunk driving, you face life imprisonment and a lengthy ban from driving