A DRINK driving campaign launched in Gloucestershire today urging drivers to ‘choose zero’ to keep themselves and others from risk.

Drivers are advised by the Road Safety Partnership to avoid the gamble of guessing whether they are under the legal limit or not.

The campaign kicked off today at Gloucester North Community Fire and Rescue Station, the partnership includes the county council, police and PCC.

In Gloucestershire during 2015 there were 34 alcohol related collisions resulting in 49 casualties, and of these, 18 were killed or seriously injured.

Martin Surl, Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “While most people’s attitudes to drinking and driving have changed for the better, we must continue to remind those who put their own selfish and irresponsible needs first that adopting a zero approach to alcohol won’t ruin your Christmas, but it might save a life.”

Drinkers are also urged to understand how long it takes alcohol to leave the body to make sure that they are alcohol free when they drive the following day.

Sleep, coffee and cold showers don't help to sober you up - time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system and the average adult can process one unit in around an hour, this could total almost three hours for one pint of strong lager.

County Cllr Nigel Moor, cabinet member responsible for road safety said, “It’s not possible to say how much alcohol you can drink and stay below the limit.

“So if you’re driving, it’s far better to have none for the road – ‘Choose Zero’ don’t drink and drive, not just for Christmas but for every day of the year.”

Figures from the Department of Transport show that in 2015, 3,450 car drivers tested positive for drink driving, the highest total since 2012.