A STARK warning to motorists has been issued as a campaign to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on Suffolk's roads continued this week.

A STARK warning to motorists has been issued as a campaign to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on Suffolk's roads continued this week.

Cracking down on drink and drug driving, as part of the county's ongoing No Excuses campaign - which also targets speeding, the use of mobile phones while driving and people who do not wear seatbelts - police sent out an important message to motorists this week.

With the festive season approaching, officers are calling on people not to drink or take drugs before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.

This comes as police launched a month-long Christmas drink and drug drive campaign in support of the Association of Chief Police Officers' (ACPO) national campaign on Tuesday (December 1).

Last year about 17pc of fatal road collisions in Suffolk were affected by drink and drug driving. With this in mind, officers will be stepping up roadside checks and are warning motorists that they will breath-test anyone involved in a collision, however minor.

Chief Inspector Mike Bacon said: 'Drink driving can have tragic consequences and I would strongly urge people not to do it. By doing so they may ruin their own lives as well as the lives of others - it really isn't worth the risk.

'Last December we saw an increase in the number of people we caught drink driving. This should act as a warning: if you drink and drive you will be arrested and prosecuted,' he added.

Anyone who suspects someone they know of drink driving is asked to report them immediately to police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.