It will be very much business as usual for Northumbria Police as their Christmas campaign against drink and drug driving begins on December 1.
Traditionally the Christmas season always shows an increase in the number of people caught drinking or drug taking and driving, with more parties and social gatherings.
The local Northumbria campaign will run in tandem with the national ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) initiative, from December 1 to January 1.
As well as random tests any driver involved in any road crash will be breath tested.
Operations Department Chief Inspector Kevin Wellden, said: “It is very much business as usual but officers will particularly recognise that this historically tends to be the time of year associated with drink and drug driving.
“We will be looking to continue to enforce the law and anyone who is stupid enough to risk drinking or taking drugs and driving can expect to be arrested and charged.”
Those failing drink drive tests face a driving ban of at least one year, a fine and huge increases in their insurance premiums over the next ten years. The ban could also lead to people losing their job and even their home.
Chief Inspector Wellden added: “Our message remains the same. It’s simple: don’t drink or take drugs and drive.
“People who do risk so much and their actions can have even more tragic consequences as they are putting both their own and other people’s lives at risk.”