POLICE are sending out extra patrol cars as part of a new summer crackdown on drink and drug driving.

Roadside alcohol and drugs tests will also be carried out in hot spot areas across the area to help reduce the number of drink and drug driving incidents occurring during the warm weather.

During last summer’s campaign, Greater Manchester Police stopped 5,000 drivers, of which 155 tested positive for either drink or drugs.

Chief Inspector Haydn Roberts said: “Drink and drug driving is a constant threat but over the summer months we often see a rise and are working hard to combat this.

“The hot weather sees people flocking to beer gardens or having barbecues and there is very often alcohol involved.”

He added: “We want to encourage people to enjoy the sunshine but without the misery caused by drink or drug driving. Just having a drink or two could push you over the limit and can cost people’s lives so we’re appealing to people across Greater Manchester not to get behind the wheel of a car when you’ve had anything to drink.”

On average, 250 people test positive for drink or drug driving every month across Greater Manchester.

In the last drink drive crackdown, a Christmas campaign, police in Bolton caught 49 motorists behind the wheel while over the legal alcohol limit.

A further six were caught driving while under the influence of drugs, during the crackdown between December 1 and January 1.

They were among 1,352 motorists who were stopped by the police and asked to provide a roadside sample.