PEOPLE who drive under the influence of drugs in Hampshire will be targeted by the country's first dedicated impaired driver unit.

Hampshire police yesterday launched the initiative in a bid to stamp out drug-driving.

With one in six drivers who die in road accidents being found with illegal drugs in their system, officers at Hampshire police decided it was time to crack down on both drink and drug-driving.

Modelled on similar units in the United States, the unit will co-ordinate 200 officers trained to detect and investigate drivers who have taken drugs.

Two officers, based at Fareham, will lead the unit and co-ordinate a series of roadside checks across the county.

Stops will not be random. They will come as a result of a driver appearing to drive carelessly or committing a traffic offence, such as driving through a red light.

Based on checks developed in America, the five-part test is designed to detect drivers whose ability to control their vehicle is impaired by drugs.

They will be accompanied by breath tests for alcohol consumption and will determine whether further action should be taken.

In 2004 so far, there have been 181 impairment tests in Hampshire - resulting in 79 arrests.

Officer Nick Ellcome of the unit said: "Every day we will be involved in some sort of activity across the country, and it's not just about Christmas, it will be going on all year round.

"There is nothing to suggest that Hampshire has a more significant problem than anywhere else. I think this is just about having a proactive approach to dealing with the problem.

"Drugs are already an issue and we need to jump on it before the problem grows."

Speaking at yesterday's launch at Police Support Headquarters in Netley, former Portsmouth FC goalkeeper Alan Knight spoke about his own conviction for drink-driving 20 years ago.

He said: "I'm not proud that I was a drink-driver and I am still ashamed of it. I think people don't realise the suffering they can cause to their own friends and families.

"Where would people rather be at Christmas - sitting around a dinner table or around a coffin or in a mortuary?"