Thousands of North and East Yorkshire motorists will from today be stopped by police aiming to stop the carnage on the counties' roads.

Officers have pledged that this year's Christmas drink-drive crackdown will be the harshest ever, and drivers will not only be stopped on urban roads, but also on isolated country routes.

And the message is clear: drink-driving kills.

David Kenworthy, Chief Constable of North Yorkshire police, said: "Every year Christmas is spoilt and lives are ruined as a result of the totally selfish individuals who think that drinking and driving is acceptable behaviour.

"Let me be quite clear, it is not, and it will not be tolerated in North Yorkshire."

Mr Kenworthy added: "Nobody wants one of my officers knocking on their door this Christmas to break the news of another tragedy on our roads caused by a drunken driver." Traffic officers will pull over thousands of motorists at random to give them a leaflet about drink driving.

And if they become suspicious, breath tests will be carried out.

Figures for North Yorkshire show that 11 people were killed and 45 seriously injured in accidents involving drinking and driving during 1999.

So far this year in North Yorkshire, there have been no fatalities, but 33 serious injuries in alcohol-related accidents.

Police hope to improve further on last year's impressive drink-drive campaign results, when only one motorist tested positive in the area covered by York and Selby police, despite thousands of cars being stopped.

Those who are caught drink-driving can expect to be disqualified for a minimum of 12 months and run the risk of a £5,000 fine and six months in prison.

Causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs carries maximum penalties of ten years in prison, an unlimited fine and a minimum two-year driving ban. The message appears to be getting through, as the percentage of motorists who test positive when breath-tested has dropped nationwide from 20 per cent ten years ago to 12 per cent last year.

The police campaign will run into the New Year.

* If you think a driver may be over the drink-drive limit, call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.

david.wiles@ycp.co.uk