MOTORISTS across Worcestershire are reminded of the dangers of drink driving over the festive season.

Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police are carrying out enforcement operations across the region as part of the month-long winter drink drive campaign.

The highest recorded reading provided during breath tests to date has been nearly five times over the legal limit.

Figures show, over the past three years, 187 people were killed or seriously injured across Warwickshire and West Mercia after crashes where drink or drugs were recorded as a contributory factor. An additional 715 suffered slight injuries.

Vicki Bristow, communications manager at the Safer Roads Partnership, said: “It’s encouraging that most motorists that have been stopped during the course of the campaign have been under the drink drive limit and we’d like to thank those people that have co-operated with roadside checks that have been taking place.

However from the results seen so far there are obviously still people out there who feel they can gamble with drinking and driving and think they know how much the limit is or simply just don’t care or think they are not going to be caught.

“We would ask people to consider other options, public transport, taxis and using nominated drivers are easy to arrange – drinking and driving simply isn’t worth the risk.”

Superintendent Lee Davenport for Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police said: “Cracking down on those who take drugs or drink and then drive is a year round commitment for both forces.

“However, we are very aware the festive season can present opportunities where people are tempted to drive after taking drugs or drinking.

“To combat this, extra patrols will be conducted in the run up to and over New Year, in a bid to tackle those who commit the unacceptable act of drinking or drug driving.”