POLICE are launching 24-hour random breathalyser tests to catch people tempted to drive after drinking under the extended pub licensing times.

Surprise roadside checks will start across York and North Yorkshire to stop some of the scores of motorists expected to take to the roads day and night after drinking alcohol.

But police chiefs insist the recetly-introduced longer drinking hours will not make any difference to their determination to clamp down on drink-drivers - warning people could be stopped "at any time, at any place" over the next month.

Extra police patrols will seek out motorists driving erratically so they can be stopped before they cause an accident.

The campaign has been launched after it was revealed more people are being caught drink-driving every year - 90 were arrested across the county last Christmas, as opposed to 85 in December 2003.

The number of arrests for the whole of 2004 was 1,654 - but this year the county is on target for a final total of 1,700.

North Yorkshire Police's head of tactical operations, Superintendent Kevin Doyle, said: "There will be at least one static check where we stop motorists at the roadside every day.

"Extended drinking hours will make no difference - North Yorkshire Police officers will test every driver we speak to under these circumstances, what ever the time of day or night.

"Protecting life and reducing casualties is a 24/7 operation for us."

He added: "We guarantee that every driver involved in a crash will be breathalysed and every driver stopped for a motoring offence will also be tested. Each year we refine the methods and resources aimed at catching drink-drivers, so each year we arrest more of the hard-core minority who believe they have the right to disregard the safety of other road users."

North Yorkshire Police is also supporting a regional campaign against drug-driving and officers will arrest anyone suspected of being under the influence. The campaign is being backed by a hard-hitting roadshow by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, showing people the mangled wreckage of a crashed car.

Deputy chief fire officer Chris Anderson said: "The message could not be simpler - this is the indisputable consequence of drinking and driving.

"My officers will be there to tell drivers just what it is like to have to deal with a horrific road accident, and they will not pull punches."

In the Hambleton area, people can wear "beer goggles" to make them see things as if drunk, while carrying out thtetricky task of driving a remote-controlled car.

The roadshow will be in the car park at the Easingwold Co-op on December 9, and in Thirsk Tesco car park on December 10.

Motorists are being urged to follow the Designated Driver scheme where one member of a group acts as driver, and others - or sometimes the pub - provides them with free soft drinks all evening.

Supt Doyle said: "Several campaigns are coming together today, all indicating a determination to cut the toll of accidents caused by drivers who drink."

The campaign, being launched at Huntington Fire Station today, involves North Yorkshire County Council as part of its 95 Alive strategy, which aims to reduce the number of deaths on the county's roads by a third in the next five years.

The national drink-drive campaign is also being launched, targeting young male drivers this year.

But North Yorkshire Police said it was targeting all motorists and warned anyone could be stopped and breathalysed, regardless of age or sex.

Updated: 09:44 Thursday, December 01, 2005