Police have warned that the Shotley peninsula is no safe haven for potential drink or drug drivers, and they will not accept any excuses from those caught over the limit.

The stark warning comes ahead of the emergency services' annual launch of their Christmas drinks and drive drive campaign, which starts tomorrow (Wednesday) December 1.

Inspector Gary Miller, of the Suffolk roads and armed policing team, told Nub News that his team is well aware some people will take a chance because they believe there is less chance on getting caught in rural areas such as the Shotley peninsula.

"Some do think that," said Insp Miller. "People will see within our town centres a lot more police present outside pubs, clubs that sort of thing, but certainly officers from our team are aware of that perception that people feel safer out on the rural roads.

"So we go out quite often into those locations specifically to enforce the law out there."

One of the main thrust of this year's message is that excuses will not wash when someone is caught above the legal limit, which in England is: 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath or 107 milligrams per 100 millilitres of urine, with zero tolerance for anyone caught with illegal drugs in their system.

Insp Miller said: "Once people have been caught they start realising what the implications are for their livelihood, their driving licence, and their family and invariably we hear all sorts of excuses like; 'we only had one' or we only had two' or 'I thought I was alright to drive on this or I smoke that cannabis two days ago.

"But our message is simple; if you are going to smoke illegal drugs, which we know are illegal anyway, or if you want to have alcoholic drinks, don't get behind the wheel of a car.

"The risks are really high. The risks to your driving licence and the implications of that on your family, but more importantly there is potential for a fatality, either for yourself or some else, all because you wanted an extra drink this year."

Part of the RAPT's operational focus over the December period is stopping early morning motorists who don't realise they may still be over the limit after going to bed.

"It is something which catches a lot of people out each year," said Insp Miller. "They maybe go out for a Christmas meal or party or night out, then the next day get in the car with their family but invariably can still be over the limit.

"It is difficult to know when you will be fit to drive again after a night out so the message is really think about that day, and the following day."

Chief fire officer Jon Lacey emphasised the devastating effects of incidents caused by drink or drug drivers.

CFO Lacey said: "The aftermath of drink or drug driving related incidents are shocking and has massive far reaching effect on many people. No just those in the car but all their family and friends, the emergency services.

"I can't emphasise how much damage can be done, so while we loving meeting the public, please don't meet the fire service under the wrong circumstances like a drink drive incident - take care."

The fire officer also pointed out the effects selfish drivers can have on all those emergency services have to deal with aftermath of crashes, bt is heartened that the vast majority of people have got the message.

He said: "The psychological effects of these sorts if incidents can have far reaching effects on crews. We do look after our crews with trauma after-care support, but even so events can be quite traumatic so one way you, the public, can look after our crews is not drink or drug drive.

"Fortunately the vast majority of the public take notice of the messages we put out so we can sometimes see a decrease in incidents we have to attend. But incidents do happen and when they do the fire service, along with the police and ambulance will be there to respond all year round."

There have been a number of incidents on peninsula roads involving drink and or drug drivers.