Emergency services launched their summer drink and drug driving campaign ahead of the World Cup today, June 2.


Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and North West Ambulance Service have joined forces with the Police and Crime Commissioner, Drivesafe and local authorities to raise awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.


The month-long operation will see police officers on patrol around the clock targeting suspected drink drivers.


Police will also be using new portable drug testing machines to test instantly whether a driver is under the influence of drugs, rather than having to wait for a doctor to administer a blood test.


A car wreckage from a morning after drink drive collision is also on display in Albert Square today.


Insp Matt Bailey-Smith said: “We tend to see an increase in the amount of people drink driving during the summer months, be it because they’ve nipped to a beer garden after work or got caught up in the moment and drunk one too many at a barbecue.


“This year’s World Cup heightens the risk of drink driving and while we’re not looking to spoil anybody’s fun, we’d urge supporters to plan ahead and arrange transport prior to kick off so they don’t turn an evening of celebration into a lifetime of regret."


GMP will be holding a drink drive Twitter chat today, June 5, as well as tweeting live from a traffic shift on June 13.


Follow @gmpolice and @gmptraffic for more information.

Footage highlighting the dangers of drink and drug driving can be viewed here