A CRACKDOWN on drug and drink drivers is underway as police aim to reduce the damage caused to others on the road. 

The month-long campaign by Thames Valley Police is known as 'Operation Holly' and is designed to deter and detect behaviour behind the wheel that puts lives in danger on the roads

Extra patrols will be out on the roads to clamp down on suspected offenders on drug and drink driving.

Road safety sergeant for Thames Valley Police, Chris Appleby said: “Drug and drink driving are both very serious offences and all drivers need to understand the gravity and consequences of their actions if they drink and drive. If you are not sure, then it is not worth the risk.”

“Operation Holly is designed to be a deterrent to any motorist thinking about driving while impaired by the effects of drugs or alcohol.  

“Please think about the pain and misery you could inflict on innocent road users by a reckless decision to drive or ride after taking drugs or consuming alcohol."

If officers suspect someone may be impaired by drugs they are authorised to carry out a roadside drug test which will detect any trace of an illegal drug.

Motorists breaking the law can face a criminal conviction, a prison sentence, driving ban, and the loss of their job.

Sergeant Appleby added: “I ask people to remember particularly that it is not possible specifically to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit. The way alcohol affects you varies depending on your personal characteristics.

“A conviction for drink/drug driving has the potential to ruin a person’s life and the incident itself the potential to cause serious injury or death on the roads - It’s not worth the risk.”

To report a suspected drink or drug driver, call 999 if the person is an immediate risk or call 101 with the details of the last seen location of the vehicle, make, colour and registration, if known.