EVERY driver involved in an accident on Lancashire's roads will be breath tested from Tuesday as part of a police get-tough policy.

The county-wide clampdown will start when the annual summer drink drive crackdown is launched throughout the country.

And it comes just days after it was revealed breath tests in the county had more than doubled during the last year.

Lancashire police carried out almost 20,000 breath tests in 1995/96 and increased speeding enforcements by 140 per cent.

The rises were part of the force's commitment to reducing accidents and improving road safety.

And the "accident breath test" policy has been introduced by Chief Constable Pauline Clare to back up the initiative. The summer campaign will be launched locally at Park Hall near Chorley by actress Sarah Lancashire, alias Coronation Street barmaid Raquel.

The launch will include motoring displays, demonstrations on safe driving and several showings of the play Too Much Punch for Judy.

Force accident prevention officer Peter Stas said: "Traditionally, it is thought most people who are guilty of drinking and driving do so at Christmas and New Year.

"But we know people are very likely to overdo it when the weather is good and they are attending social functions, such as parties and barbecues.

"We have to drive home the message - don't drink and drive. We will continue to enforce the laws and we urge people to consider very carefully the consequences of their actions."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.