61 people are arrested in police drink driving campaign

The results of the Christmas crackdown show 325 people were arrested across the whole of Thames Valley - an increase of 52 people from the previous years.

Milton Keynes statistics show the 2014 figure increased by just one.

Police carried out dedicated patrols between December 1 2015 and January 1 2016 to deter and detect motorists suspected of putting lives at risk on the roads.

The patrols were supported by the ‘Where will you end up tonight?’ campaign, which carries the hard-hitting theme of a mortuary to emphasise the fatal consequences of drink-driving.

The campaign reinforces the stark message that motorists who drink-drive risk ruining not just their own life, but the lives of passengers and pedestrians too.

Thames Valley Police Road Safety Sergeant Chris Appleby said: “It’s crucial that we never forget the fatal consequences of drink and drug-driving.

“Any road user – be it drivers, passengers or pedestrians – can suffer life-changing injuries as a result of a drink-drive incident, and family members can suffer the devastating emotional effects from such tragedies.

“It’s just not worth the risk, and the our commitment to campaigning on this issue remains vigorous, as demonstrated by the fact that there is an increase in the number of arrests made during the campaign compared with the previous year’s figure.”

Do you know someone who drinks over the limit or takes drugs and drives? Call police on 101 or, if it’s an emergency, dial 999.

If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, call the independent Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.