Motorists are being warned they do not have to be drunk to be a drink driver.

Dorset Police launched their annual Christmas drink and drug drive campaign, which runs until New Year’s Day, with an event at Brewery Square in Dorchester.

Representatives of all emergency services were there to discuss the campaign along with KwikFit to advise on tyre safety. People could talk to police officers and other emergency staff and take away road safety merchandise including single use breathalysers.

For the campaign, officers from the Alliance Roads Policing and No Excuse teams will request breath tests from all drivers involved in collisions, irrespective of whether or not they suspect an drink driving offence. Drivers can also expect to be tested if stopped for an offence.

Drugwipe sample kits will be used at the roadside on drivers suspected of being unfit to drive through drugs.

Police warn drivers not to risk it if they’ve had even one drink or have taken drugs.

Inspector Joe Pardey said: “Alcohol and drugs impair many of the functions necessary for safe driving; reaction times and spatial awareness are affected significantly. This may still be the case the morning after, depending on how much alcohol you consumed the night before and when you stopped drinking.

“If police think you are unfit to drive through consumption of alcohol, even if your breath test registers lower than the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath you can still be arrested and may be charged with an offence. In short, you do not have to be drunk to be a drink driver. Don’t risk it.”

Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said: “Unbelievably, there are still people out there who think it’s acceptable to drink and drive. This isn’t ok at any time of the year but in the run up to Christmas our campaign across Dorset will find people who are risking their lives and those of other road users by driving while impaired through drink or drugs.

“Please always have this in mind if you’re planning to drive the day after the Christmas party.”