Road checks target drink drivers

Partygoers are being warned to think twice before they get behind the wheel after celebrating the new year.

Cleveland Police will be carrying out a series of checks over the weekend.

As well as breathalysing anyone involved in an accident, officers will also be operating roadside checkpoints across Teesside.

The force said it believes most people have taken on board the message about the dangers of drink driving and the checks will target the minority.

Assistant Chief Constable Derek Bonnard said: "I think most people realise that if you do drink and you do drive, you do risk serious injury to yourself and to other people.

"And a large number of road accidents involving deaths are caused by people who have had a drink just before driving.

"So I think the message is getting across but there is a minority amongst the community that we still need to target and we will be doing that over this New Year's Eve weekend."