Police in Brighton and Hove start their annual Christmas crackdown on drink-driving tomorrow (Tuesday 16 November) – two weeks before the beginning of the national campaign.
The campaign will include daily stop checks, a series of high profile checks and an intelligence-led operation targeting suspected drink-drivers reported online or by phone.
Sussex Police said that the force was working to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the roads.
A spokesman said: “While there has been a small reduction in those killed or seriously injured over the last year, sadly too many people are still losing their lives.
“Those who drink or take drugs and then drive present a serious risk of being involved in a crash, killing or seriously injuring themselves or others.”
Chief Inspector Di Roskilly, from the force’s Road Policing Unit, said: “So far this year Sussex Police have arrested around 1,000 drink-drivers.
“It is of real concern that there are such large numbers of drivers who are prepared to put the lives of themselves, their passengers and other road users at such risk.
“We make no apologies for targeting them – our aim is to remove them from the roads before they kill someone.
“We will use both marked and unmarked vehicles, and all drivers involved in collisions are breath tested.
“Anyone who provides a positive test is arrested and taken into custody for further inquiries.
“A conviction for excess alcohol leads to an automatic driving disqualification of at least 12 months and this can often present employment difficulties at a time of economic uncertainty.
“The penalties, however, are more than simply financial or a matter of inconvenience.
“The human cost can often be devastating.
“Our drink-drive message is very simple – don’t!
“At best you will get caught and lose your licence, with a significant fine.
“At worst you may kill or seriously injure yourself or others.”
Sussex Police asked for reports of people who are drinking or taking drugs and driving, or driving anti-socially, to be made to Operation Crackdown on 01243 642222.
The force also has a dedicated website www.operationcrackdown.org to report the same offences.
A spokesman said that if it was happening immediately, members of the public could call 999.
