Christmas Drink Drive Campaign Starts
1 December 2011, 06:00 | Updated: 1 December 2011, 08:52
Thames Valley Police has told Heart they're seeing an increase in the number of women in their 30s stopped for driving over the drink-drive limit.
As part of their joint Christmas crackdown with Hampshire in December, officers are stepping up checks on drivers on main roads going out of town centres, as well as rural back roads.
Inspector Colin Clarke, from the Roads Policing Unit, said drink driving is still a big problem.
He said: "We are still seeing quite a high percentage of the male driver in around his 30s, who's still prepared to drink and drive. We're also seeing an increase in female drivers.
"In previous years, they haven't been so much of a problem, but we're now seeing an increase in the number of women we're stopping and getting a positive specimen from."
Double Le Mans winning Aston Martin Racing driver Darren Turner has also been involved in the campaign.
He completed an experiment which saw him take to the track in a racing car simulator after drinking four cans of lager.
He said: "It was really interesting to see how the alcohol affected my driving in a controlled environment. It just showed how even one drink can have an effect. You've only got to make one mistake on the road and it can have horrendous consequences. It really isn't worth it."
Hampshire Police are encouraging people to report anyone getting behind the wheel drunk. People can text 80999 with the precise place the driver was last seen, direction of travel if possible, and as many of the car details as possible, especially the number plate.
All the information is received anonymously. people can also call 999 to report a drink-driver.