CLEVELAND Police is urging motorists to think about the consequences of driving while under the influence of drink and drugs.

The plea comes after officers spent an evening stopping drivers to check they were acting legally.

The Summer blitz is part of the national association of chief police officers' drink and drug-driving enforcement campaign.

It coincides with a drink and drug-drive campaign in which enforcement will take place throughout Europe.

Officers spent Thursday evening stopping motorists on Yarm Road, Stockton.

Sergeant Keith Kitson, of the Road Policing Unit, said despite all the warnings about what could happen, people were still choosing to behave irresponsibly and drive illegally.

He said: "It is apparent that although the force’s summer drink and drug drive campaign has been well publicised, there are still a hardcore of offenders failing to heed the warnings, driving their vehicles whilst intoxicated and putting themselves and the general public at serious risk.

"Since the start of the campaign Cleveland Police in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service have already taken court action against a number of offenders.

"It is important that we continue to work together to make the roads in our area a safer place."

The campaign will run throughout June and will include random stop-checks.

Last year acting Inspector Gary Hatton expressed his disappointment after more than 200 drivers were caught throughout the campaign.

More than 1,000 drivers were stopped and breathalysed. In June, 97 drivers were caught driving under the influence of alcohol and July saw a further 113 were caught.

Any driver who commits a traffic offence or is involved in a collision will be breath-tested. Drug-drivers will also be dealt with by means of roadside testing and blood tests.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

Cleveland Police runs a string of campaigns every year in an effort to cut the number of deaths on Teesside’s roads.

In April, a campaign was launched to help reduce the number of motorcyclists injured on the roads each year and March saw awareness raised on the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt.