CUMBRIA Police has launched its annual summer campaign targeting drink and drug drivers.

Throughout this month the force will be testing those suspected to be driving under the influence of drugs under new legislation.

The new legislation is modelled on drink-driving testing and places legal limits on eight illegal drugs and eight medicinal drugs.

Police will now be able to enforce the new laws with roadside saliva-testing kits followed by blood and urine tests at a station.

The Department for Transport has set low limits for illegal drugs like heroin and cocaine and higher limits for the eight prescription drugs.

Sergeant Paul Brown, from the Operational Support Unit, said: “Any amount of alcohol or drugs can affect a motorist’s ability to drive safely.

MORE TOP STORIES: “Our advice to all motorists is that if you’re planning on driving a vehicle do not drink any alcohol or take drugs. Different amounts of alcohol or drugs can have different effects due to a wide range of variables.”

Last year’s summer campaign saw 1,587 breath tests conducted and 66 people subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, meaning just over four per cent of those tested were either over the limit or failed to provide a test.

Of the 66 people who failed or refused a test, 16 of these were following road traffic collisions, which was just under a quarter of all tests conducted.