Drink and drug crackdown starts

A Christmas crackdown on drivers who drink or have drugs in them has started on Teesside.

A two-month campaign in the summer led to more than 200 arrests but the message was still not getting across to some drivers, police said.

Emergency services and road safety professionals will work together on the campaign that runs until the New Year.

The initiative includes random checks on vehicles and also targets areas known for drink-related collisions.

Cleveland Police will breathalyse any driver committing an offence, or who is involved in a collision and anyone suspected of drinking alcohol.

Anyone suspected of taking drugs will undergo impairment tests.

Insp Gary Hatton, from Cleveland Police said: "I would ask every driver to imagine how they would feel if their best mate, girlfriend or a family member was killed.

"Surely that is enough to deter anyone from drink or drug driving."