Hampshire police are launching a crackdown on motorists who drive under the influence of drugs.

Six people have been killed and 16 seriously injured in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight resulting from drugged driving in the last two years. This compares with 11 alcohol-related deaths on the roads of both counties during the same period.

Traffic Sergeant Kory Thorne said: "Hampshire police will be carrying out drink-driving tests as usual over the festive season, in addition, we'll be targeting drug-driving as well."

The campaign - Are You FIT To Drive - was launched this week.

FIT stands for Field Impairment Test, the five-point examination officers conduct if they wish to assess a motorist for signs of drug abuse.

The launch was attended by 23-year-old Shahna Thwaites from West Sussex. She was in a car accident just before her 18th birthday where a driver had taken drugs.

Two people died in the crash, and Shahna spent over three months in hospital.

Said Shahna: "The driver had been taking ecstasy and hadn't slept for four days. After the crash, I would sit down and cry about it for hours, but I want to get this message out - don't drive when you're on drugs."

PC Jon Lansley said: "We have had a number of good convictions using FIT tests and have detected a number of offenders who we might not have found previously."