A new drink-drive campaign has been launched targeting football fans who may indulge over the World Cup.

East Anglian Daily Times: Fans will be cheering on the national team in Brazil. England's Phil Jagielka (centre) celebrates scoring during the international friendly match at Wembley Stadium. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo.Fans will be cheering on the national team in Brazil. England's Phil Jagielka (centre) celebrates scoring during the international friendly match at Wembley Stadium. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. (Image: PA Wire)

With late-night games the emergency services and council chiefs are concerned drinkers may be on the road and over the limit – even after a night’s sleep.

Warning posters will be displayed in more 700 pubs, cafes and hotels where supporters will be cheering on England in their three group games.

Graham Newman, chairman of the Suffolk Roadsafe Partnership which is running the campaign, said: “If you drink four pints of lager later in an evening, then it’s possible you won’t be ‘alcohol-free’ until the following lunchtime.

“We’re not saying don’t drink whilst enjoying the World Cup, but we are saying don’t drink anything if you are driving and don’t drink heavily if you have to drive the following morning.

“Police officers will be on the road performing breath tests but this might be too late. You could end up losing your life, never mind your licence.” Between 2008 and 2012, there were a total of 372 crashes on Suffolk roads involving alcohol-related offences.

In that period there were also more than 1,500 recorded road incidents between the hours of 7-10am.

Chief Inspector Chris Spinks, head of roads policing in Norfolk and Suffolk, said: “Watching football is a very social event, whether it is going to the pub or round to a friend’s house.

“Either way there can be more of a temptation for those driving to have a drink, but we would warn people not to do so.”

Officers will be conducting roadside checks around the clock.

Paul Collins, area commander for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: “All too frequently our fire crews are called to deal with the aftermath of devastating road crashes which kill and maim.

“We are actively engaged in reducing road casualties with our colleagues in the police and Suffolk Roadsafe Partnership.

“The World Cup should be a time when people enjoy the spectacle, but irresponsible drink-driving endangers all other road users and is just unacceptable.”