POLICE will stop more drivers than ever before during a Christmas anti-drink and drug driving campaign, a senior officer pledged today.

North Yorkshire deputy chief constable, Adam Briggs, said it was “only a matter of time” before motorists who get behind the wheel while over the legal alcohol limit or after taking drugs were caught.

He said officers across England and Wales were determined to stop more drivers than the 183,397 pulled over during the one-month festive campaign last year. Since January 2005, 28 people have died and 223 have been seriously injured due to drink-driving in North Yorkshire.

Mr Briggs, the national lead on road policing, also warned Christmas party-goers to think before driving the morning after a big night out.

He said: “Many people think they have to be involved in a collision or commit an offence to be stopped and breathalysed.

“This is not the case and our aim is to test more drivers than ever before during this campaign.”

The Christmas campaign, in which drivers will be tested for alcohol and illegal drugs, runs from today until January 1.

For the first time this Christmas, North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out roadside drug tests as well as breath tests.

Police use roadside breath tests to test for alcohol and a series of exercises known as Field Impairment Tests to test for drugs.

The 95 Alive Partnership, including North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, is launching the campaign at St Helen’s Square in York and County Hall in Northallerton today.

Officers said motorists should make alternative arrangements to get home, such as using a licensed taxi or minicab.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said: “Anyone who drives while affected by drink or drugs shows a complete disregard for the safety of others and will find themselves facing the full force of the law. “Putting the lives of others at risk is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in North Yorkshire. There will be nowhere to hide this year, as all officers across the county target those arrogant enough to flout the law.”