Police are to breath test every driver involved in a crash in a campaign to crackdown on drink and drug driving. According to Police, some 250 people are arrested every month for drink driving offences on Kent roads.

Motorists caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be given a mandatory ban, a fine up to £5,000 or a possible prison sentence. Inspector Paul Sellwood of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: “Drink and drug driving continues to be a menace on our roads and blights the lives of a significant number of people.

He said: “At best you risk a fine, mandatory ban for one or more years or an increase in insurance premiums. At worst you risk losing your job or going to jail.”

About two people are killed on Kent's roads each week and statistics show one in six of those deaths is attributable to someone driving under the influence of drink or drugs. During the stop checks police will also examine the safety of drivers and passengers, ensuring they are wearing seatbelts and making sure that drivers are not using hand-held mobiles.

Those found not wearing seatbelts will be issued with a fixed penalty notice of £30 and drivers using a hand-held mobile will be subject to a £60 fine plus three penalty points on their licence, the fine rising to between £1,000 and £2,500 for drivers of buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles.