Throughout December Devon and Cornwall Police will be targeting any driving transgressions.

Any drivers involved in a collision and any motorists whose driving may lead police to suspect they are under the influence of alcohol will be breathalysed, say officers. If drug driving is suspected, drivers may have to undergo a roadside sobriety test.

Roads Policing Inspector Richard McLellan emphasised that being ’under the limit’ does not necessarily mean that a driver’s judgement and abilities are not impaired.

He said: ’Police can still arrest a driver for ‘driving whilst impaired’ if an officer suspects they are unfit through drink or drugs, even where the breath samples provided back at the police station are found to be under the legal limit. They may still be charged and convicted of an offence.

’Your judgement may still be impaired the morning after a night out too, so our message is clear and simple: don’t drink and drive, it is simply not worth it.’

’If you know someone is driving whilst impaired, we encourage you to do the responsible thing and report it to the police.  This could save a life or prevent serious injury.

’If someone is drinking and driving now, call 999. To report someone who regularly drinks and drives, email [email protected] or call 101. If you prefer to remain completely anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’

During Devon and Cornwall Police’s 2015 Christmas drink/drug drive campaign, officers administered 1,974 breath tests of which 177 were positive, refused or failed to provide.

11 drug wipe tests were administered with 4 resulting in a positive result.