POLICE are calling for parents to set a good example over drink driving by not getting behind the wheel after having a drink.

According to Cheshire Police, sons and daughters are more likely to drink drive if they have witnessed their parents doing it.

Insp Liz Cunningham from the force collision investigation team, said: "Cheshire Police have seen too many young people lose their lives or end up with serious injuries when they had made the wrong decision to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol.

"My team has to deal with serious and fatal collisions caused by drink driving on a daily basis, and all of these can be prevented.

"As well as appealing to young drivers I would also like to appeal to their parents, who have a responsibility to their offspring and can influence their attitudes to driving by setting their children an example by not getting behind the wheel when they have had a drink.

"I do not want to be sending my officers to their homes to tell them that their son or daughter has died or been seriously injured as a result of drink driving.

"Actions speak louder than words and if young people see their parents adopting a casual attitude to drinking and driving, they are likely to follow a similar approach. If the parents treat the issue seriously, young drivers will too."

So far this year, 229 young drivers between the age of 17 and 25 have been stopped for drink driving in Cheshire.