MOTORISTS will face a two- pronged approach to tackle the impact of driving while under the influence of drink and drugs.

Patrol officers this year will have access to additional specialist officers from Cheshire Police’s driver impairment team drivers.

Cheshire Constabulary is the first force in the country to establish a specialist team with the enhanced drug recognition skills.

The team consists of two officers, PC Andy Taylor and PC Robbie Burns, who, following specialist training with the California Highway Patrol, are now the region’s first fully qualified drug recognition experts.

Insp Brian Rogers said: “As part of our partnership approach to improving road safety we are committed to a policy of education and enforcement.

“This is why it is so important that we work with our partners to let road users know that drug-driving is the evil twin of drink-driving.

“The penalties are the same, the punishment is the same and, more importantly, the death and destruction on Cheshire road’s caused by impaired driving through drink and drugs are the same.”