CHRISTMAS comes but once a year and with it, Essex Police's equally seasonal drink-drive crackdown.

The annual festive blitz on drink-driving has become as traditional as the Queen's Speech on Christmas Day.

But every year motorists continue to ignore that message and risk their own lives - and the lives of others - by getting behind the wheel after too many drinks over the Christmas period.

What is also becoming just as disturbing is the rise in people driving under the influence of drugs.

The increase could be down to the police being able to carry out tests more easily.

But it is a growing concern, nevertheless.

As long as motorists continue to flout the law, the police will have to continue waging war on the roads over each festive season.