Anti drink-driving warnings are being put on bottles of alcohol to try to persuade motorists not to get behind the wheel while over the limit.

Each year staff from Sussex Safer Roads Partnership take to the streets to remind motorists of the dangers of drinking and driving.

Officials say every year the most common question is how much can they drink and still drive legally.

This Christmas a pilot scheme is being run at the Asda store in Ferring in which bosses have agreed to allow warning messages to be placed on drink bottles.

The drink or drive choice message will be actively enforced by police, who will be conducting a range of roadside checks throughout the county, as well as sending extra patrols out to catch suspected drink-drivers in the act.

Council teams and fire and rescue officials will also be taking the drink or drive message into town centres, bars, pubs and clubs throughout December.

'Socially unacceptable'

Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas, from Sussex Police, said: “This year, we’re presenting motorists with a simple choice – to drink or to drive.

“The overwhelming majority of drivers make this choice without even thinking about it, reducing the potential harm to them and others.

“Drinking and driving is socially unacceptable, yet a small minority of motorists ignore the opinions of everyone around them and get behind the wheel after having a few alcoholic drinks.”

Anyone who thinks a motorist is about to make the wrong choice and get behind the wheel after drinking can make a report by texting police on 65999.

Reports will need to contain as much information as possible, such as the vehicle’s make, model, colour and numberplate, where the driver is and what time they are expected to be on the road. For more information visit www.drinkordrive.co.uk.

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