Police want Bay of Plenty people to be planning their Christmas festivities and holidays, not organising tangi and funerals for loved ones who have died in car crashes.

As sobering as that thought is, it’s still not often enough to encourage sober driving.

Alcohol and/or drugs are a factor in about one-third of all fatal crashes, according to Police.

“If you are going to be enjoying a few drinks, make sure you have a plan to get home or find a sober driver,” says Senior Sergeant in charge of Western Bay of Plenty road policing, Wayne Hunter.

Distraction, speed, alcohol and unrestrained drivers and passengers are still the main causes of death and serious injury, says Wayne.

As such, he has plans in place to deal with drinking drivers.

“We’re going to have a lot of checkpoints out over the Christmas period.

"As a community, we have a responsibility to ensure we drive safely at all times and do not take any unnecessary risks – getting behind the wheel after drinking, they’re risks not worth taking.”

Wayne has access to the more than 900 CCTV cameras monitored by Tauranga Transport Operations Centre.

“We have footage of people driving along, turning around to deal with children, on their phone, putting on makeup, eating breakfast – the bowl in their hand while steering with their knees – it’s all on camera.”

Drivers can expect to see more checkpoints around Tauranga all summer – so if you’re stopped by Police, no matter what time of day or the reason, you can expect to be breath-tested.

“Our officers will be out in force anytime, anywhere, to deter unsafe driving behaviour and to prevent road deaths.

"But we need everybody’s help.

"Road safety is everybody’s responsibility."

“We are committed to ensuring every road user arrives alive at their journey’s end and those who put others at risk will be found, prosecuted and held accountable.”

The most important message Police want to convey is really simple: don’t risk your life and that of others by driving while impaired in any way.

Report unsafe driving behaviour immediately by calling 111.