POLICE in South Gloucestershire have launched a Christmas campaign against drink and drugs driving today.

Operation Tonic, which will run until January 1, will involve both high visibility and covert patrols aimed at targeting drink and drugs drivers across the region.

As part of the campaign, officers are calling on members of the public to stop drink and drugs drivers by calling 999 if they see it happening, or texting the word “drunk” with brief details of the car, location and driver to 81819 – as long as they themselves are not currently driving.

The operation, which has also run over the past two Christmas periods, saw 106 arrests in December 2014, with 59 people charged, and 155 arrests in December 2015, with 96 people charged.

Drink and drugs driving is one of the 'fatal four' offences, together with speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and using a mobile phone while driving, that are known to cause the majority of deaths on our roads.

Chief inspector Kevan Rowlands, Avon and Somerset Police head of road safety, said: “Our message is very simple; if you get behind the wheel under the influence of drink or drugs, you are risking your life and the lives of those around you.

“Each year we are disappointed to see the number of people who are still willing to take that risk. Even one driver caught driving under the influence of drink or drugs is one too many.

“Our aim is to work with our partners to educate people about the dangers and consequences of drink and drug driving and to send out a strong message that to do so is morally and socially unacceptable.”

For more information on the campaign or general road safety advice, visit www.avonandsomerset.police.uk