POLICE have warned motorists against drink driving the morning after a night out as part of a campaign which saw them test hundreds of drivers.
Cleveland and Durham Road Policing Unit spent the weekend carrying out roadside tests on more than 300 vehicles across the region.
On Saturday, the force were on Linthorpe Road inMiddlesbrough and tested over 80 motorists on their morning commute into the town centre.
On Sunday morning, they moved over to Grangetown, stopping motorists in the Trunk Road.
In excess of 200 were stopped, with eight drivers producing breath readings of less than 12mg/ml.
A spokesperson for the force said: "Please be aware of the effects of alcohol on your body through the night and into the morning after.
"Don’t get caught out in drink and end up in the clink, unlike one driver this morning.
"During the roadside checks, a male was arrested on suspicion of drink driving blowing nearly double at the roadside.
"He was tested in custody producing a higher level and charged to attend magistrates court at a later date."
Another vehicle stopped during the checks was found to have a defective tyre and the driver was reported for the offence.
The Peugeot was stopped on Skippers Lane, in Middlesbrough as it was dangerously loaded to the roof with goods.
The spokesperson added: "Don’t worry, Santa hasn’t traded his eight Reindeer powered sleigh in for this striking yellow car.
"It was a local shop keeper, who was dealt with for using his vehicle in this manner."
A Ford Focus was stopped on Thornaby Road and the driver found to have no licence or insurance, and a vehicle stop on Durham Road in Stockton resulted in the arrest on the driver on suspicion of drug driving following a positive indication at the roadside on a drugs wipe.
A stop on a suspicious van at Mandale in Thornaby resulted in complications when it turned out that it wasn’t displaying the correct Registration number, there was further ambiguity around the vehicles insurance, driving licence offences and excess speed, according to police,
The spokesperson added: "We also assisted our district colleagues in providing entry to a number of addresses following concerns for the welfare of those inside.
"We’re back tomorrow night, if you up and out early tomorrow, please don’t leave your vehicle unattended to warm up and defrost.
"Don’t give thieves a chance."
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