West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS), worked with Bradford City Council, West Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance for an event at Centenary Square in Bradford on Sunday.
They were joined by Bradford New Direction, Change Grow Live, as they demonstrated the dangers of taking nitrous oxide while behind the wheel.
The gas, commonly known as laughing gas, is becoming more popular among young people – but it has been linked with life-threatening health complications and can also affect someone’s ability to drive safely.
Cllr Alex Ross Shaw, Bradford Councils Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport said: “This is becoming a concerning trend so to raise awareness of taking nitrous oxide and drug driving is important.
"The more information that is provided the better the decisions people can make and an extraction such as this provides a stark warning of what could happen if someone drives after taking drugs. Working with our partners we are all aiming to make our roads safer for all road users and are committed to the Vision Zero ambition.”
Assistant District Commander Imran Ali at WYFRS said there were concerns about the recreational use of nitrous oxide across West Yorkshire. “We know how dangerous this drug can be and taking it while driving can be life-threatening – not just for the driver but their passengers and other road users,” he said.
“Nitrous oxide has a big impact on a driver’s co-ordination, reflexes and judgement and this event on Sunday highlighted just how vitally important it is not to use it while driving. We are proud to have joined forces with our partners for this event, and we hope it hammers home how seriously we all take the use of nitrous oxide and the dangerous consequences it has for people in our communities.”
Yorkshire Police Sergeant Jamie Wilkinson of Steerside Enforcement Team in Bradford District said: “This is all part of our commitment to making the roads of Bradford District safer under the Vision Zero ambition. Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all road users.”