POLICE are set to carry out hundreds of roadside breath tests this month, as their annual drink and drug driving campaign launches.

The campaign began on Thursday, and has been timed to coincide with the 2018 World Cup, with North Yorkshire Police officers on the roads to carry out stop checks on vehicles including early mornings in an effort to detect anyone still over the limit from the night before.

Traffic Sergeant Andy Morton said there was no excuse for people to drive after drinking or taking drugs.

He said: "The vast majority of people who go out to watch matches make the right choice and arrange a taxi, public transport or a designated driver to get them home.

"Unfortunately though, we always encounter people who make the wrong choice by drinking and driving after the match, or maybe even the morning after when they think the alcohol is no longer in their system. There’s absolutely no excuse for drink or drug driving. It’s selfish, it’s illegal and it wrecks lives. That’s why we’re targeting our resources to make sure we take as many drink or drug drivers off the road as possible."

Pubs around the region will also be running a campaign - with 95 Alive, North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and North Yorkshire Police - urging drinkers to 'Let Des do the driving – choose a designated driver or arrange a taxi'.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie said: "In 2016 there were 96 collisions involved a driver or pedestrian impaired by alcohol. In five of these collisions a person died and 26 resulted in a serious injury.

"I would urge people to take note of how much they are drinking and always give their body at least one hour per unit to remove the alcohol before driving again. Typically two glasses of wine would need at least six hours and four pints of larger would need at least 12 hours before driving again. It’s not just about whether people are over or under the legal limit, it’s about their fitness to drive."

Last year's campaign saw police carried out more than 600 breath tests and arrested 98 motorists on suspicion of drink or drug driving offences. The average breathalyser reading among those arrested was 65.7 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – almost twice the legal drink drive limit - and the highest was 143 milligrams, more than four times the legal limit.

If you see someone about to drink drive or have information about someone who regularly drives after consuming alcohol or drugs, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101.