Lincolnshire Police has launched the force's festive drink and drug driving campaign today (Mon).

The campaign runs until 1 January, with officers on patrol and testing drivers 24 hours a day.

Any driver suspected to be driving while impaired, has committed a moving traffic offence or involved in a collision, will be breath-tested or asked for a drug wipe.

If tested positive they will be arrested.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman said: "Will you risk killing someone?

"We are asking drivers not to take the risk for many reasons, but also because they are 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs when driving.

"We focus on the victims and we focus on the offender, for obvious reason.

"But take time to consider what it might mean to your partner, or your children, or your parents, or your friends, to have someone close to them be convicted of drink or drug driving, or have killed someone as a result.

"The ripple of misery spreads far beyond those directly involved."

The Institute of Advanced Motorists calculates that a drink-drive conviction could cost between £20,000 and £50,000 as a result of fines, solicitors fees, loss of employment and increase in car insurance as, and when, your licence is returned.

"The penalty is a long driving ban - a minimum of 12 months - and a fine of up to £5000, a criminal record and potentially up to six months in prison.

"Will you risk losing your licence? The implications in our rural county are significant," added the spokesman.

Lincolnshire Police has re-introduced the text message service which allows anyone to text the work 'DRINKDRUG' to 80800 free and anonymously, with details of drink and drug drivers and their vehicle.

The force has supplied posters and beermats to publicise the service within communities across Lincolnshire.

If a driver is about to drive while impaired call 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Inspector Marc Gee, Lincolnshire Police roads policing lead, said: "I can't believe people still take the risk of killing or hurting others by driving while impaired along with losing their licence and maybe going to prison.

"We carry out checks for drink and drug drivers throughout the year but focus more at Christmas.

"If you see someone who you think is impaired through either drink or drugs, or I shudder to think both, call us on 101 or in an emergency 999.

"It's an emergency if they are driving or getting behind the wheel.

"If you know someone who drives after they had had alcohol or used drugs text DRINKDRUG to 80800 with vehicle details, when and where. This give us information and intelligence to work on."

John Siddle, Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said: "Whether the victim or the perpetrator, the consequences of drink and drug driving continue to blight the people of Lincolnshire.

"To take the risk of driving whilst impaired is to disregard the safety of yourself and other road users.

"If you drink or drug-drive you create the victims - make a better choice and don't take the risk!"

During last year's Christmas drink and drug driving campaign more than 1100 drivers were breath-tested - 67 were arrested for either failing, refusing to provide a breath test, or for providing a positive breath test.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the legal alcohol limit for drivers is:

35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath

80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood

107 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of urine For information about drug-driving limits click on the red button below.