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A SPECIAL hotline has been set up by Wiltshire police so that members of the public can alert officers about someone who has got behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking or taking drugs.

As part of a summer drink drive campaign launched by Wiltshire police on Monday, the force is asking the public to help catch those who drink and drive by ringing, 0845 408 7000 anonymously, then selecting option four which will transfer the call to a dedicated hotline.

Operators will pass the information to officers on patrol who, where possible, will intercept the drunk driver.

The campaign, which runs from this week through to the beginning of September, aims to tackle the increasing number of drink-related road deaths - there were 130 more such fatalities in 2004 than in 1998 and, with the help of the public, reduce alcohol-related road casualties.

Chief Inspector Nick Elton said: "We hope that continued help from the public will help to reduce the number of people willing to take the risk this year.

"Research has shown that more enforcement results in a decrease in the number caught driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

"By stepping up enforcement over the summer period and with the involvement and support of the public, our aim is to reduce the number of people caught drink driving."

Wiltshire's roads policing officers have also been trained in Field Impairment testing techniques, introduced into the UK from the United States.

The roadside tests are for drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs.

Last year the national summer drink drive campaign was run in June and 1808 drivers were tested with 134 proving positive.

During the whole of 2006 Wiltshire police conducted 8688 roadside breath tests and 1135 drivers were arrested for providing positive breath specimens or failing or refusing to supply a specimen.

8:10am Tuesday 7th August 2007

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