Crime Desk

 Advice from the Met:

* If drinking, make alternative arrangements to get home that does not involve driving.

* Take a licensed taxi, black cabs or minicabs.

* Appoint a designated driver for the evening who will be drinking soft drinks only.

* Take care when driving the morning after you have been drinking as alcohol may still be in your system and you may be over the limit. Likewise, be careful about drinking at lunchtime.

Londoners are being warned of the dangers of drink and drug driving in the lead up to the festive season as the Metropolitan Police Service launches its Christmas anti-drink and drug driving campaign.

The month-long campaign, starting on Tuesday 1 December, supports the annual Association of Chief Police Officers and the Department of Transport's national anti-drink and drug driving Christmas THINK campaign.

Officers from the MPS Traffic Unit and boroughs will be carrying out a series of dedicated patrols and local operations across the capital. This includes increased roadside breath tests to test drink driving, and a series of exercises known as Field Impairment Tests (FITs), designed to test for drugs.

Partygoers, in particular, may be unaware they are still over the limit the morning after a Christmas celebration.

This year also sees the first time that both Traffic and borough officers will be equipped with electronic screening devices (ESDs); these are sophisticated new systems capable of recording additional information such as sex, age and location, which could help to provide a clearer profile of offenders in the future.

Anyone who is found to be driving under the influence of drink or drugs will be arrested and taken into custody. Offenders can lose their licence, be fined, or sent to prison.

Chief Superintendent David Snelling, Head of the MPS Traffic Unit, said: "Some people may think it's harmless to drive home after a few drinks, particularly during the Christmas season when they want to go out and celebrate the festive period with friends and family. Sadly we know that's not true, and officers are out on the streets every day dealing with the grief and devastation caused by these decisions.

"Drink and drug drivers need to be aware there are very real consequences to their actions. Not only do they risk arrest and imprisonment, they are also putting themselves and the lives of others at danger. Why would you do that?"