Spike in drink driving offences expected in the West Midlands on New Year's Eve
Extra officers are being deployed to hotspots
Police in the West Midlands are bracing themselves for a spike in drink driving offences on New Year's Eve.
They are deploying officers to hotspots as part of Operation Limit.
What is Operation Limit?
It is a West Midlands Police operation specifically aimed at improving road safety and reducing drink or drug driving.
They will use intelligence to target hotspots and repeat offenders.
Police officers will be carrying out breath tests this evening (31st Dec) on people involved in collisions or believed to be drink driving.
'Plan ahead'
PC Fang Yeng from the force said: "We want you to plan ahead if you are going out and arrange how you are getting home.
"If you are the designated driver, you should also check your vehicle over. Look to see if your tyres are legal and check your lights are working too.
"Book a taxi and pay that little bit more to ensure your safety. You do not want to risk getting into a serious collision, where the result could be life-changing," he said.
He told us the risks that come with drink driving: "Your reaction to hazards reduces significantly when you have something to drink.
"Your vision will be blurred so you cannot focus the same.
Finally, PC Fang Yeng has this advice for passengers: "Do not get in the car if you know the driver has been drinking. It is better to have that awkward conversation, than to risk your life."