DRIVERS on drink or drugs in north Hampshire can now be reported by text.

Hampshire Constabulary has launched an 80999 text messaging service as it gears up for its festive crackdown on driving under the influence.

Sergeant John Dainton, from the constabulary’s roads policing unit, said: “By texting, you can still report the details to us when it’s not so easy to do so over the phone – if you’re at the pub for example.”

Under the banner of “drink, drugs and driving are a lethal cocktail”, this year’s campaign aims to bring home why mixing driving with alcohol, illegal drugs or both can be deadly.

Drinks menus, beer mats and posters featuring cocktail imagery are being handed out to bars, pubs, clubs and taxis across the force area.

The campaign will run until Sunday, January 31, 2010. Last year’s campaign saw 429 drivers in Hampshire detained for drink or drug driving-related offences – the busiest two months of the year.

“Our officers know what to look for,” Sgt Dainton said. “And the chances are you will be caught, fined, banned from driving or even sent to jail. So if drink or drug-driving doesn’t kill you or someone else, it can still ruin lives.”

Sgt Dainton warned that the effects of drink and drugs can last for hours, so it can be unsafe to drive the next day. He added the best advice is not to drink at all when driving, or to book a taxi to get you home.