EVEN Father Christmas could be breathalysed, said police this week as they prepared to launch the annual blitz on drink driving over the festive season today (Tuesday).

Warwickshire's campaign for this year echoes the national campaign seen on the television, promoting the message: "Drinking and driving is one Christmas tradition that all road users can do without."

No driver will be safe from the breathalyser, as the crack-down will see all drivers involved in accidents and any stopped drivers asked to take a test and police will be stopping all drivers that look as if they could have been drinking.

Around 500 people are killed per year by drivers who have been drinking and 16,000 accidents are caused nation-wide.

Sgt Phil Ashby of Warwickshire police pointed out that the smallest amount of alcohol could affect the ability to drive safely, as drivers are 50 times more likely to have an accident after having a drink.

He added: "Those people who drink and drive must be either selfish enough not to care that they could kill someone's parent or child and cause untold distress or anguish, or arrogant enough to believe they will not be caught."