AS the summer finally heats up and the World Cup gets into full swing, police in Bridgwater are warning about the dangers of drink-driving.

Avon and Somerset Police have launched Operation Tonic, which encourages people to consider the consequences of drinking alcohol and getting behind the wheel.

Bridgwater’s police team were around town and at the Cornhill on Wednesday with their community contact vehicle and a car which had been involved in a drink/drug driving related crash in Taunton a few years ago.

PCSO Dan Wheller told the Mercury: “We decided to run Operation Tonic over the summer and alongside the World Cup. We want to make sure people are leaving enough time between drinking in the evening and driving the next morning and are considering that they could still be over the limit hours later.

“We also have a text number so people can let us know when they see someone who has had too much to drink getting into a car.

“We had good feedback in Bridgwater, especially from young drivers. They loved trying on the ‘beer goggles’, designed to give you a bit of blurry vision.

“We throw some peas on the floor and ask them to pick them up. It’s a fun exercise but it really demonstrates how much alcohol can affect your body, as well as your mind.

“They were also interested to learn how we can use information from the text number with Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras to spot offenders.”

Figures show that during the World Cup reports of some offences increase, such as domestic abuse, drink-related violence and anti-social behaviour.

Posters have been created that target domestic abuse, sexual offences, drink-driving, and drink-related violence and criminal damage. They have been distributed to pubs, bars and other public venues by officers and are being distributed by councils and NHS teams.

To provide information about a drink or drug driver call 999 or text the word ‘drunk’ with brief details, such as vehicle registration number and location, to 81819.

For more information about domestic abuse go to thisisnotanexcuse.org