Insp Baxter said: “People go to Christmas parties and maybe have too much to drink and drive the next morning or they just have a few at the office party and drive home that evening – people who probably at other times of year wouldn’t consider doing it.”
He urged people to plan travel in advance and get a designated driver, arrange a taxi home or use public transport.
“The science is there,” said Insp Baxter. “It [alcohol or drugs] does impact on your reaction times and ability to drive carefully.”
Earlier this month, Simon Outen-Coe, from Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said: “If you are one of those individuals who believes this is a safe practice, or frankly just don’t care, then just remember – your decision will have a lasting impact.
“It may just be the loss of your job, house and driving licence. In the worst circumstances, it will be the loss of your freedom and the incredible lasting hurt that your selfish actions have had on others.”