POLICE have urged drivers to think before they drink over the festive season.
The annual crackdown on drink-driving has been launched by Northumbria Police to run throughout December.
Motorists are advised not to be tempted to drink and drive as it would put their own and the lives of others at risk, and officers will be stepping up their actions to catch those who get behind the wheel while under the influence.
All drivers involved in crashes will be breath tested, as well as those caught speeding and people suspected of drink driving.
Additional breath tests will be carried out by officers from the Roads Safety and Roads Policing units, while intelligence-led patrols will be conducted with Neighbourhood Policing Teams to target suspects.
Members of the public are being asked to pass on information about anyone they think is drink-driving, or attempting to do so.
Chief Inspector Peter Reeve said: “As always we will be working hard to make sure the roads are safe for everyone over the festive period.
“As well as routine and additional breath tests, we will be using information from our communities to target those suspected of drink-driving so we can stop them before there are any serious consequences from their thoughtless actions.”