Drink drivers are being targeted by police in a week-long campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Whilst officers already look to educate and enforce the law against drink and drug drivers all year round, there will be a particular focus on these offences during this week.

Throughout the first six months of this year, there were 428 people arrested on suspicion of drug driving and another 294 arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in Cleveland.

A further 37 people were arrested after failing to provide a specimen for analysis.

Roads Policing Inspector Jamie Bell said: “On average this year we’ve seen around 30 people a week arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving.

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"Even one person taking this chance with their life and the lives of others on our roads, is too many.

“We know that the majority of the public are law-abiding, however, wherever possible anyone found to be driving under the influence will be put before the courts to face the full force of the law.

“In roads policing we see too often the devastating impact of people taking risks with lives and we will do everything possible to help keep those using our roads as safe as we possibly can.”

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