DRIVERS are being warned to “expect to be pulled over” on New Year’s Eve – as police crack down on drink and drug driving.

Drink and drug driving has been a factor in 25% of all fatal collisions across Avon and Somerset this year, the force said, as revellers plan their nights out to welcome in 2026.

Now, officers are urging them to ensure they are able to get home without anyone who has had a drink, or taken drugs, getting behind the wheel.

In a bid to tackle the problem, officers will be carrying out roadside stops to catch those who continue to put themselves and others at risk of injury, or death.

As part of the December crackdown on the problem, Avon & Somerset Police said a total of 243 people were arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving from December 1 to 28.

Response officer PC George Young, with the support of special constables and neighbourhood officers, stopped 200 vehicles as part of the annual Christmas drink and drug driving campaign in the Weston-super-Mare area alone on December 27.

Of those drivers, two failed to stop and will be pursued for a prosecution; one driver was reported for document offences and summoned to court; one uninsured vehicle was seized; another vehicle was seized because the driver did not have a licence; and nine other traffic offences – ranging from not wearing a seatbelt to bald tyres – have also been reported.

One driver was also arrested on suspicion of drug driving and has been released under investigation.

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PC Nick Steele, a member of the roads policing team, said: “At this time of the year we inherently do see an increase in these types of offences, and it’s down to the festivities, parties, finishing work early, and people run the risk of having one, two, or three drinks and think they are safe to drive home. Driver should expect to get pulled over.

“People have worked hard all year, and, for some, this can be the only opportunity to let off steam. But, before they do, we want them to plan how they are getting home, don’t drive or ride a motorbike that day, lift share, jump in with the designated driver who is on soft drinks, use public transport.

“We want people to have a great time but if they are drinking, we don’t want them behind the wheel. There have been cases I have dealt with which have proven to me some shocking behaviour. I have had drivers who have provided incredibly high readings at the roadside, and they have had children in the car, or they have been in collisions where people have been hurt or have sadly lost their lives.

“Some people show remorse but, more often than not, they don’t.”

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This year has seen 427 fatal and serious crashes in the force area, with drink or drugs being listed as a factor in 50 of those (12%).

Police said they had attended 32 fatal crashes in 2025, with drink and drugs a factor in eight of those incidents – 25%.

Inspector Matt Boiles said: “There is no safe way to drink and drive – not at Christmas, not on New Year’s Eve, not any day of the year. Even small amounts of alcohol or drugs can seriously impair your judgement, reaction times, and coordination, putting lives at risk.

“Don’t be tempted to take chances, we will be out there conducting checks and responding to intelligence.”

How to report a suspected drink or drug driver in Avon & Somerset:

If you believe someone is currently driving under the influence of drink or drugs, call 999.

To anonymously report a suspected drink or drugs driver, fill in an online form or visit a police station in person.

People can also scan the QR code which will take you to a dedicated section of the police website.

Scanning this QR code takes people to a page to report suspected drink or drug drivers