Police turn up the heat and target summer drink drivers

Between now and the end of September, the two forces will hold round-the-clock observations and a series of roadside checks at specific locations to snare motorists who drive after drinking too much alcohol.

Daytime and early morning stops are planned to catch and deter drivers who hit the road following a heavy night's drinking and could still be over the limit.

Durham Police have carried out 4,905 breath tests this year, catching 461 drink drivers.

In Northumbria - which includes Tyne and Wear - 5,734 breath tests have taken place, producing 1,710 positive results.

Acting Chief Inspector Wilf Lavery, of Durham Police, said drink driving was a year-long problem and not just associated with Christmas and New Year.

He pointed out that the lyrics of the classic Mungo Jerry hit, In the Summertime, which encourages people to "have a drink, have a drive" were still adopted by some motorists.

He said: "Nationally a lot of progress has been made in raising the profile of the drink drive issue.

"The younger generation, as a rule, abhors drink driving and we feel we are winning the hearts and minds of those younger drivers.

"Unfortunately, there remains a small group of motorists who continue to ignore all appeals and overtures.

"The message has to be if you are going to drink don't drive, and hopefully through education and these roadside checks we will have some effect on future behaviour."

Inspector Tony Hoy, of Northumbria Police, said a higher percentage of drink drivers were caught in the summer months than during the winter.

He said: "People are probably more relaxed in the summer, they take a drink and then drive, but the consequences can be quite horrendous.

"We would urge anyone with information on somebody who is a persistent drink driver to give us a ring.

" It could be one of their relatives who is killed by one of these people."

Anyone with information can call Durham Police on (0191) 3864929 or Northumbria Police on (0191) 4547555