Police officers warned of the dangers of drink or drug driving with coffins wrapped in images of crashed vehicles.

Rutland police officers worked in partnership with Cooperative Funeral Services to issue the stark message to drivers who might break the law and risk their lives. The coffins carried the slogan: 'drink drive kills'.

The winter campaign is in response to the increase in the number of roadside arrests made by Leicestershire and Rutland Police, which are, on average, well over 100 a month.

"At this time of year when we have the festive season, we're trying to get across to people the dangers of drink and drug driving," said Detective Inspector Steve Kilsby, head of the serious collisions investigation unit.

"Both are on the increase, unfortunately, with a lot of arrests already – so we want to pass that message along and try and educate people that drinking and drug driving will not be tolerated."

Rutland police officers worked in partnership with Cooperative Funeral Services (image via LDRS)

Within and hour of the launch more than 20 vehicles were stopped and found to have various mechanical defects, though thankfully nobody was found to have either drink or drugs in their system.

"That's actually a good thing," DI Kilsby added. "It means the message we're here for is getting through to the driving public."

Leicestershire and Rutland Police made 173 drink drug drive arrests during the last winter campaign in December 2022 which increased from 149 during December 2021.

Richard Adcock from the Cooperative Funeral service said of the coffins on display: "These are real coffins which we've had wrapped in very visual messages of the effects of drink and drug driving.

"Unfortunately, our teams attend the roadside effects of drink and drug driving, and people do die every year as a result.

"This is a very visual message, but if we can help just one person stop and think about why we're here and perhaps not get into a car if they've had a drink, then that's a great thing that we've achieved."

The launch is working in partnership with the Road Safety Awareness team and their 'Fatal 4' message (image via LDRS)

The launch is working in partnership with the Road Safety Awareness team and their 'Fatal 4' message which highlights the consequences of speeding, driving while distracted by a phone, the non-wearing on seatbelts and of course drink and drug driving.

Sergeant Liam Palmer, based at Oakham Police Station, said: "Fatal and serious road traffic collisions have far-reaching effects, the families of those involved can have a lifelong emotional response with some choosing to maintain memorials at the roadside after the loss of a loved one.

"Police officers can be left with emotional scars that regularly get reflected upon often causing flashbacks when witnessing the catastrophic results of dangerous driving or breaking the devastating news of the loss, or serious injury, of a loved one to family members.

"It is important for people to be aware of the wide-ranging impact that not driving safely can have on the whole community."