POLICE are targeting those who drink or take drugs before getting behind the wheel as part of an annual Christmas crackdown.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the national campaign against drink-driving, and from today officers in the Basingstoke area will be conducting drink/ drug operations day and night throughout the festive season.

Extra patrols will be carried out specifically designed to breath test and educate drivers, and intelligence-led operations to catch offenders will be staged.

Every driver involved in a collision will also be breathalysed as a matter of course.

Sergeant Rob Heard, who is road safety lead for the constabulary, said: “We have just had the 50th anniversary of the first public information film.

“New research from the government’s THINK! team shows how much attitudes have changed to drink driving in the last half century and through a combination of road safety campaigning and better enforcement, road deaths in the UK because of drink driving have fallen.

“We want to continue to reduce that number and prevent further deaths.”

A total of 22,231 people were breath tested in Hampshire and Isle of Wight during 2013.

Nationally, year on year, the number of breath tests conducted by officers has increased and the number of positive breath tests has decreased.

Sgt Heard said: “Too many people are still taking the risk to drive whilst impaired.

“But we are dedicated to reducing it. These people not only put themselves at risk, but others who are often innocently going about their daily lives.

“As well as aiming to reduce the number of people who are killed or injured, we would also like to remind motorists that receiving a conviction for drink or drug driving could ruin their lives.

“If you are caught drink driving you could face a criminal conviction, possible prison term, driving ban, and could even lose your job. It's not worth the risk.”

If you believe someone is driving while impaired, call 101 or text 80999 with all the details of the vehicle, driver, location and times or call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.