MOTORISTS who flout drink-driving laws will be targeted by in the coming month as they focus "vigorous policing efforts" on offenders.As part of the annual Christmas drink-drive campaign, Essex Police is again reminding everybody from office-party revellers to clubbers that drink-driving wrecks lives.

MOTORISTS who flout drink-driving laws will be targeted by in the coming month as they focus "vigorous policing efforts" on offenders.

As part of the annual Christmas drink-drive campaign, Essex Police is again reminding everybody from office-party revellers to clubbers that drink-driving wrecks lives.

All aspects of drink-driving will be focused upon, with 'morning-after' motorists and those who drive home from railway stations after drinking in London being targets of attention.

A series of posters have also been designed by the force in attempt to help convey the message to drivers across the county, with shops, garages and schools forming part of the campaign.

Yesterday 55-year-old Essex woman Julia Browring launched the campaign with her son, Ben Stevens, 25. Mrs Browring's then husband – and Ben's father – was killed in a head on crash.

Tony Stevens, 40, died when he was in a head on collision with John Lee, who was three times over the limit and already banned from driving for 10 years after seven previous drink driving offences.

As a result of the crash Lee was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and sentenced to seven years in prison.

Head of Road Policing, Chief InspTom Diment, asked drivers not to "dice with death" and said he hoped people would focus on the dangers behind drink-driving.

"The festive season is a time for people to get together, but all too often they are split up due to the reckless actions of one individual," said Mr

Diment.

"Sadly, families can end up spending Christmas in hospital – or even worse – in a mortuary," he added.

"People should be able to enjoy themselves during Christmas, without fear of this mindless section of society which has no care for others."

Figures from last year's campaign showed 3.4 per cent of motorists were prosecuted for drink-driving offences after 250 drivers either failed a roadside breath test or refused to provide a specimen.

During the first 10 months of 2003, there have been 10,660 drivers breathalysed at the roadside, with 810 either failing or refusing to provide a legal specimen of breath.

Although last Christmas's figures showed a slight improvement, in the Summer campaign they rose above those of the previous year.

Chief Insp Diment stressed that should people decide to drink and drive, they would dramatically increase the likelihood of being involved in a crash and seriously injuring or killing someone.