POLICE have launched their annual crackdown on drivers tempted to over-celebrate the festive season.

Any involved in a collision - or whose driving may lead officers to suspect they are under the influence - will be breathalysed, they have warned. And if drug driving is suspected, they may have to undergo a roadside sobriety test.

Roads Policing Inspector Richard McLellan said even being ‘under the limit’ did not mean a driver’s judgement and abilities were not impaired.

He explained: ‘We can still arrest a driver for driving whilst impaired if an officer suspects they are unfit through drink or drugs, even where the breath samples provided back at the police station are found to be under the legal limit.

‘They may still be charged and convicted of an offence.’ He added: ‘The punishments for drink driving are severe, not only from what a court may pass as a sentence. If convicted of drink driving offenders will have a criminal record, lose their licence and potentially their livelihood.’

And he urged people to report abuses on the road to police. ‘If you know someone is driving whilst impaired, we encourage you to do the responsible thing and report it to the police. This could save a life or prevent serious injury,’ he said.

And he stressed: ‘Drink driving cannot be tolerated at any time of the year - but we will ensure very close attention is being paid over the festive period.’ During Devon and Cornwall Police’s 2015 Christmas drink/drug drive campaign, officers administered 1,974 breath tests of which 177 were positive, refused or failed to provide.