A campaign starting today is serving as a sobering reminder of the dangerous consequences of drink driving.

The initiative supported by Kent County Council (KCC) and Kent Police asks people to pledge not to consume any alcohol before getting behind the wheel this Christmas.

There have been 674 crashes on the county’s roads where a driver was under the influence by alcohol over the last three years.

Seventeen people have died and more than 1,000 people were injured during this time.

KCC road safety team leader Vicky Harvey said: “You don’t have to be drunk to be dangerous.

“Just one drink can increase the chances of having a crash, sometimes with tragic consequences for the victims and their families.

"Act responsibly this winter, particularly around the festive and New Year period.”

The council reiterates that people who are banned from driving or receive a prison sentence often lose their jobs.

Furthermore, people are reminded of the negative financial impact that fines, points on their licence or increased insurance premiums can bring.

Starting from today, police officers will be targeting areas with high instances of drink of drug driving.

There will be breath tests, roadside drug swipes and field impairment tests through the day and night.

Sergeant Ben Brennan from Kent Police’s Roads Policing Unit said: "At this time of year we know everyone wants to go out and enjoy themselves but we ask people to do so responsibly and to make arrangements to get home safely.

"Drivers are not only risking their own life, but the lives of their passengers as well as other innocent motorists or pedestrians.

"As always our message remains the same - there is no excuse for driving under the influence."