Festive drink-drive blitz starts

Police in Leicestershire have launched their festive campaign to tackle drink and drug driving.

The message is "Think about the mourning after", as drivers are warned they could be over the legal alcohol limit the morning after drinking.

Checks will be carried out on drivers involved in a collision or who police believe may be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The Christmas drink and drug drive campaign will run until 1 January 2009.

'Serious concern'

Last year in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland 159 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Insp Viv Brenchley said: "Last year 27 collisions occurred over the Christmas period in Leicestershire as a result of drink driving.

"Any alcohol can affect your ability to drive, impairing your reaction time and your ability to judge both speed and distance.

"Drivers should always be aware that alcohol takes effect quickly but wears off slowly - so even if you don't drive until the next morning after a night out, your driving can still be impaired.

"Drinking and driving is a serious concern for the police and our communities. We will step up our enforcement and do all we possibly can to keep death and injury off our roads over the Christmas period."