VIDEO: Drink driver caught on camera swerving on M5

Police will target motorists who put lives at risk during the December drink and drug driving campaign launched today.

Footage of a van dangerously swerving across a motorway at high speeds, almost hitting other vehicles, to highlight the dangers of drink driving has been released by the police:

The overall clampdown starts today and will see officers carry out unmarked patrols, act on intelligence and do tests following road traffic collisions.

They will breathalyse drivers 24/7 during December and will target hotspot areas.

To illustrate the risks of driving while over the limit, police dash camera footage has been released by traffic cops showing a drunk-driver swerving across the M5 earlier in October this year.

The driver, who was almost three times the drink-drive limit, led officers on chase from near Frankley Services and hit speeds of over 80mph. he only stopped on the northbound carriageway when the vehicle was ‘stung’ near junction two at Oldbury.

The 34-year-old driver from Shrewsbury, was disqualified from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order. He was also given a bill of £245 after being taken to court.

The campaign will be run by West Midlands Police and the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG).

For the winter operation, officers have also secured £40,000 funding from the Government to carry out roadside drug tests. These funds will be used for handheld testing kits.

The campaign last Christmas saw 2,437 motorists stopped for breath tests with 285 providing a positive test or failed to provide a sample.