WITH Christmas fast approaching police across the region are declaring war on those who get behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs.

The Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire forces have launched their festive blitz with strong warnings to motorists who may be tempted to put innocent lives at risk.

And as well as tackling drivers who have been drinking they will be hunting down those who have been using drugs, with the help of roadside testing equipment that gives instant results.

In March this year new legislation allowed police to use a “Drugwipe” kit to take a mouth swab and test any driver they suspect to be impaired through the use of cocaine and cannabis. If the sample gives a positive reading they can be arrested there and then, with a further reading then taken at an independent laboratory.

Since the introduction of the new legislation officers across Cleveland and Durham alone have arrested 136 drivers after they gave a positive reading.

“This is the first Christmas campaign since the introduction of the new drug testing equipment, and the figures suggest it is a serious problem,” said Chief Inspector Mick Robson from the joint Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit.

“Drugs can stay in your system a long time and if you are caught, the consequences can be huge.”

In North Yorkshire too police will be focusing on drug driving. The county now has more officers than ever who have undergone specialist training to identify the signs of drug taking and they are also equipped with road side drug testing equipment.

Motorists convicted of drug-driving will be banned for at least a year and can be fined up to £5,000 and be sent to prison. The penalty for causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of drugs is up to 14 years in jail.

And thanks to the change in the law, police do not have to prove a motorist is unfit to drive, only that they have an illegal level of drugs in their system while driving.

North Yorkshire’s Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick said: “We want people to have a safe and happy Christmas, but drivers must ensure they take responsibility and do not drink or take drugs and drive.

“Be in no doubt that if people choose to get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs, they will be arrested and brought before the courts and will face serious consequences."