DRINK drivers cause a crash on Dorset’s roads once every four days according to stark figures released by police.

Officers have now emphasised their zero tolerance approach to drink driving – as they released the figures in response to questions by the Dorset Echo revealing that almost 600 people have been killed or injured by drunk drivers in the last six years.

The figures reveal that 42 people have died on Dorset’s roads since 2010 in collisions where alcohol was a contributory factor.

In addition, 160 people suffered serious injuries and 390 suffered slight injuries.

Over the same time frame, there were 421 collisions caused by drink drivers. Of these, 20 were fatal, 111 resulted in serious injuries and 290 resulted in slight injuries.

In 2015 there were 83 drink-related crashes – or on average, one every 4.4 days.

Police constable Jez Strothard, of Dorset Police’s No Excuse team, said drink drivers ‘pose a threat to us all’.

The team recently launched Operation Dragoon, as reported in the Dorset Echo, which aims to crackdown on offenders – with those presenting a risk having their vehicles seized.

Seasonal operations are also run every year – in the summer and at Christmas – cracking down on people who get behind the wheel after too much alcohol.

Drunk drivers face obligatory driving bans, fines of up to £5,000 and prison sentences.

Those charged and found guilty of causing death by careless driving while under the influence face unlimited fines and prison sentences of up to 14 years.

A person is considered too drunk to be behind the wheel if there is more than 35mg of alcohol in 100millilitres of breath.

According to charity Drink Aware, there is no fool-proof way of drinking and staying under the limit, as it varies from person to person, depending on weight, age, metabolism, and even stress.

PC Strothard said: “Alcohol and drugs can seriously affect a driver’s ability to react quickly and safely, not only to physical hazards they may encounter during the course of their journey but also to the ever changing road environment. Hazards can be encountered suddenly and without warning. A driver needs to be able to make decisions as to how to negotiate those hazards quickly and efficiently. Drink and drugs inhibit the brains ability to process the information the driver needs when developing a driving plan to deal with a hazard.

“The judgement of drivers impaired by drink or drugs will also be affected, for example they are less likely to be able to accurately assess their vehicle’s speed."

He added that police are ‘determined’ to reduce the number of people killed and injured by drink drivers.

“Drink and drug driving will not be tolerated and we will employ the full range of tactics to deal with these types of driver that pose a threat to us all. 

“Under the new Operation Dragoon any information received from members of public relating to poor standards of driving or drink or drug driving will be risk assessed. Those drivers identified as presenting a risk are liable to be arrested at the earliest opportunity and have their vehicles seized. We will also be seeking to put risk drivers before the earliest available court with the maximum penalties sought for offences charged. These drivers can expect that their dangerous attitudes towards both public and road safety will have an immediate effect on their lives.”

Anyone who has concerns over drink or drug drivers is urged to contact Dorset Police on 999 if a person’s safety is at immediate risk, or on 101 for routine information.