DRIVERS are being urged to think about the consequences of getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol in the run up to Christmas.

Lancashire Police will be displaying the wreckages of two cars in which two drivers, who had been drinking, were killed to hammer home the message.

They include the car of Matthew Alston, who was killed on the morning of August 14, 2010 in Read. The 18-year-old was over the drink drive limit the morning after consuming alcohol at a party at home.

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Police said Matthew’s story was a devastating reminder that people can still be over the drink drive limit the morning after.

Daniel Birch was just 23 years old when he was killed on March 18, 2012 near his home in Coppull. He was driving home after a night out and lost control of his vehicle.

The men’s cars will be placed on the Preston Flag Market today to show people the ‘stark reality’ of drink driving.

One unit of alcohol takes approximately one hour to leave the body, so a night out could leave somebody with alcohol in their body for more than 24 hours.

Chief Inspector Richard Blackburn said: “Daniel and Matthew’s stories highlight the most tragic consequences of drink driving. Their families have been left devastated but are keen to educate people about the dangers.”

“It’s hoped the presence of Daniel and Matthew’s vehicles at Preston Flag Market today will show people the stark reality of drink driving.

“We do want people to have fun this Christmas, but we would urge people to remember and consider the consequences of driving whilst under the influence of alcohol and also drugs. Don’t forget you could still be over the limit the morning after the night before. If you drive at twice the legal alcohol limit you are at least 30 times more likely to cause a crash than a driver who hasn’t been drinking. Not only could this cause serious injury or worse, but a conviction could also mean that you lose your job, home, family and friends.”

County Coun John Fillis, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for highways and transport, added: “Many people fail breath tests the morning after and your driving will still be impaired if you have alcohol in your system, with the same potentially devastating consequences.

“Changing attitudes to drink driving has taken decades of hard work and we’re keen to deliver the message to a new generation of drivers this Christmas.”

“The statistics tell their own story, driving while under the influence of drink or drugs is a risk simply not worth taking.”