THE Christmas crackdown on drink-drivers began today.

A high-profile police campaign to catch over-the-limit drivers will run for the next month.

Mobile patrols will tour Lancashire setting up high-visibility police checkpoints, day and night.

Any driver who police suspect has been drinking will have to face a breath test.

Assistant Chief Constable John Vine, Lancashire Constabulary's head of operations, said: "This campaign will play an important part in reducing death and injury on our roads over the festive period.

"If we can save one life as a result of making people more aware of the dangers of drinking and driving then I feel this operation will have been worthwhile."

Chief Inspector Ian Bell, head of the road safety department, said: "During the last national Christmas campaign there were 5,209 positive breath tests and 919 alcohol- related accidents. During that period 353 people were charged with drink driving offences in Lancashire.

"In 1996, 500 people were killed by drink-drive related crashes.

"Lancashire Constabulary is committed to reducing this carnage."

The local campaign, backed by the police and Lancashire County Council's road safety unit, supports the national Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions Christmas Drink Drive campaign.

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