POLICE in Cumbria have today launched a crackdown on drink driving in the run-up to Christmas. 

In December 2014, 2907 breath tests were administered, which resulted in 64 people either failing or refusing a test. This was a decrease on the previous year where 97 people either failed or refused a breathalyser test.

Of the 64 tests in 2014 which were either failed or refused, 15 followed a road traffic collision. In 2013, 17 people failed or refused a test following a road traffic collision.

The family of 22-year-old Dominic Loftus, who was tragically killed by a drink driver in Cumbria in October 2013, has spoken of their heartbreak in a bid to raise awareness. 

Ian and Susan Loftus have spoken to Cumbria Police about the impact this incident has had on their family’s life. In the video there is also a message for anyone thinking of having a drink and getting behind the wheel this Christmas.

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Cumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said: “The message is simple ‘Don’t drink or take drugs and drive’. Doing so can have tragic consequences which have a devastating and lasting impact on the lives of so many people. Please don’t do it.”