Early indications from South Yorkshire Police’s festive clampdown show that more than 23,000 motorists have already been breathalysed on the county’s roads. This includes anyone suspected of committing a moving traffic offence, thought to be driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or following a collision.

And for the first time, SYP’s road traffic officers are also inviting drivers to voluntarily take a breath test as a way of educating motorists and reinforcing the drink drive message.

“I’ve just seen the figures for the first few weeks of our annual campaign and they reveal that we are breathalysing more drivers than ever before,” said SYP Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes.

“With over 23,000 people tested in the area so far, my colleagues are really making a determined effort to stop drink and drug drivers from killing and maiming others, so motorists had better watch out.”

Figures for the first three weeks of the December campaign show that 23,153 drivers have been breathalysed, with 177 testing positive or failing or refusing to provide a sample. During the same period, a total of 109 FIT tests have been conducted with five proving positive for drugs.

Head of the Force’s Roads Policing Group, Chief Inspector Andy Male, said that most people were co-operating with the voluntary breath tests and saw the merits of the scheme.

“But despite our annual festive clampdown backed by a local advertising campaign organised by the South Yorkshire Safer Roads Partnership, we’re still getting situations where some people are up to four times over the limit and where others are double the drink drive limit when stopped the morning after,” he said.

“SYP will target drivers at all times of the day, but particularly those driving in the evening and first thing in the morning.

“Drink and drug driving is an all-year-round issue that takes on a special relevance during Christmas time. We hope our high-profile awareness raising will help remind motorists that drink and drug driving wrecks lives.”