ROAD policing crews are continuing to stage more roadside drink-drive checkpoints in the region over the next couple of days.

They will be concentrating on the Teesdale area and the south of County Durham, asking drivers to take part in a voluntary breath-test.

While drivers can decline, officers still have the power to take a mandatory breath sample from anyone they suspect has been drinking.

They can also carry out a different kind of test on anyone whose driving is thought to be affected by a substance other than alcohol such as illegal drugs.

One of the upcoming checkpoints will be staged late at night, the other during the early evening.

A Durham Police spokesman said: “Remember, it can take a long time for alcohol to leave the body so you could still be above the limit several hours after your last drink.”