POLICE stopped more than 50 vehicles last night as part of a crackdown on drink driving.

More than 50 motorists were pulled over in Southampton as part of the fight against drink driving over the Christmas period.

The checks formed part of Operation Holly which targets those drivers who put people's lives at risk.

According to a post from the Hampshire Police roads unit, more than 40 breath or drugs tests were done last night.

Furthermore, two people were arrested for alleged drug driving offences.

Meanwhile, seven motorists were hit with traffic offence reports and two others with vehicle defect notices.

Operation Holly runs from December 1 until 1 January 2022 each year and combines education and enforcement.

Commenting previously, Sergeant Dave Hazlett, of the Joint Operations Roads Policing Unit, said: “Every year we run Op Holly and every year we find that people still take to the roads having drunk too much alcohol or having taken drugs that will impair their driving.

“It is important to plan how you are going to get home after a Christmas party or a night out. Consider using public transport, taxis or have a designated driver, especially if going out in groups.

"Think carefully about the morning after. It’s is highly likely that you will still be over the limit the next morning as it can take hours for alcohol and drugs to leave your system.

“Even the slightest amount of alcohol or drugs in your system has the ability to affect the way you drive; increasing the risk of serious harm to either yourself or other road users."