Lincolnshire Police Force has launched a new road safety campaign to warn people of the consequences of drink and drug driving in the county during the festive period.

Officers will be implementing extra enforcement activity on the county's roads throughout December and carrying out extra patrols. Checkpoints will be set up in select locations with officers conducting drink and drug tests.

Inspector Jason Baxter of the Roads Policing Unit said: "We hear a lot of people saying that police are just out there trying to arrest drink drivers and we should be catching 'real criminals'. Our main priority continues to be making our county, and our roads, safer. 

"Over the last year three people died and 39 people were seriously injured in Lincolnshire, with drink and/or drugs listed as a contributing factor. Our job is to try to reduce this number, and if this campaign makes people think twice about getting out there and drink or drug driving that's the whole point.

"Drug-driving is becoming more widespread and what people don't realise is that drugs can stay in your blood stream for up to 28 days. You may have smoked a joint the other day and think you're fine to drive but you can still test positive on a DrugWipe.

Don't take drugs and drive this Christmas.

"Taking drink and drugs impairs your ability to do things, including driving. If you drink or drug-drive you are more likely to be involved in a collision. This is why we take a zero-tolerance policy to drink and drug driving. There is no excuse if you get caught. If you're stopped and you fail a breathalyser test or a DrugWipe, you will be arrested and you will face the consequences. This could include a driving ban and a criminal conviction; it's honestly not worth the risk."

"With the usual Christmas parties, the World Cup matches taking place during the build up to Christmas, and New Year, we are expecting people to be socialising more and more.

"We know that people will want to get out and celebrate. We don't want to stop you having fun, but please do so safely. Consider making other arrangements to get home, the cost of a taxi or the inconvenience of having to pick up your vehicle the next day is a much better alternative to facing the penalties of being arrested.

If you have concerns about anybody who is driving under the influence, please call us on 101 (or 999 if they are posing an imminent danger). Or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.