THE summer drink drive initiative went live across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and the Thames Valley region on Monday.

The emphasis on this year’s campaign is around ‘the morning after’.

Every year in June, Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary take part in the national anti drinkdriving campaign.

Throughout June, both forces will be conducting drink/drug operations at all times throughout the day and night across the Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

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

As well as aiming to reduce the number of people who are killed or injured as a result of drink-driving, motorists are being reminded by police that receiving a conviction for drink or drug-driving could ruin their lives.

Superintendent Lucy Hutson, head of roads policing for Thames Valley and Hampshire said: “Is it worth the risk?

“The answer is simple, no it isn’t.

“After just four pints of lager, you may not be safe to drive for up to 13 hours, so whether you are drinking in the afternoon at a summer barbecue, drinking while you watch a World Cup football game or going out for a few drinks in the evening, make sure you are safe to drive.

“Just because you haven’t had a drink for a few hours, it doesn’t mean all the alcohol has left your system and you can drive, you are still likely to be over the limit.

“Extra patrols will be out over the next few months carrying out a number of breath tests.

“If you are caught drink driving you could face a criminal conviction, possible prison term, driving ban, and could even lose your job.

“Is it worth the risk?”

During 2013, 59 people in Hampshire and IOW have been killed or seriously injured in road collisions where a person was impaired by alcohol.

Out of the total people killed or seriously injured on the roads in Hampshire and IOW in 2013 one in 17 involved a person impaired by alcohol (59 of 1,031).