A drink driving exercise was held in Norwich today to put across a key message of what impact drink and drug driving has on communities and the implications it has on drivers under the influence.

Norfolk Police, Norfolk Fire and Rescue and the East of England Ambulance Service ran a scenario from the moment the 999 call is made, through to the driver arriving at custody and the court case.

Norfolk and Suffolk Constabularies launched their Christmas drink drive campaign on Friday, December 1. It will run until Sunday, January 1.

The month-long operation against driving under the influence of drink or drugs will see officers in both counties carrying out extra patrols and roadside checks.

Any driver who is stopped due to concerns over the manner of their driving, a vehicle defect or is involved in a collision will be breathalysed.

Specific time slots at Norwich Magistrates Court have been reserved to deal with those caught drink or drug driving. This effectively means that offenders could now lose their licence within 24 hours of being breathalysed whilst facing additional fines.

During last year's campaign, 2,649 drivers were tested with 224 drivers providing positive readings in total for both Norfolk and Suffolk.

In Norfolk 1,320 tests were carried out with 82 drivers failing.

Inspector Jon Chapman, from the Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit, said: 'It amazes me that people still choose to drink and drive. You make the decision to have that drink so you must face the consequences.'

Sergeant Simon Rose, said: 'As of today, in Norwich Magistrates court we've fast tracked 20 people and they've been charged with a drink or drug driving offence and lost their licence within 24 hours.

'The thing with drink and drug driving, is that people always seem to take a risk, that's why numbers are still so high.'

Steve Grant, the drink driver in the exercise, said: 'It was really exciting, It was great to see how it all happens and develops. The 'What are you giving up in the new year?' Initiative will get the serious message out about drink and drug driving.'

The scenario took place on the Northern Distributor Road where two vehicles had a head on collision.

In one vehicle there was a drink driver. The other had a family of five inside.

First on the scene, a roads policing unit who assessed the casualties.

Ten minutes later, an ambulance arrived to help with the casualties.

Some people from the family vehicle escaped with minor injuries. The drink driver from the other vehicle also did. He was then breathalysed, drug wiped and arrested for drink driving. The fire crew helped to extricate the passenger from the second vehicle, this involved smashing the windows of the car and removing the roof.

An hour after the collision, the ambulance crew took the seriously injured person to hospital.

The drink driver was taken to custody, asked to provide two more specimens of breath and attended Norwich Magistrates Court where he lost his licence.