Drink drivers trying to evade police by using suburban backstreets this Christmas will be caught, WA police have warned.
Police Minister Liza Harvey said police conducted a boose bus blitz on inner city roads on Wednesday night, which she said would continue through the Christmas holiday period.
Ms Harvey added the Christmas blitz will coincide with the double demerit point period, which kicks in just after midnight on Thursday and will run through the New Year until Jan 4.
"The booze bus was operating along with covert motorbikes and other cars working the side streets around it, while the long range camera was picking up motorists on mobile phones and without seatbelts," she said.
Ms Harvey said there had been 15 deaths and 23 serious crashes caused by drink drivers since January this year.
During the same period, 2176 drivers were nabbed for drink driving.
"That's more than 2000 people who are not only putting their own lives at risk but every other road user around them," she said.
"It is completely irresponsible and an outrage."
During the Christmas period last year, police caught 389 drink drivers over 17 days.
Ms Harvey said over that two-and-a-half week period, more than three million motorists were either stopped by police, had their number plates processed or monitored by a red light or speed camera.
"So when you see the police out over the holidays don't curse them, thank them," she said.
"They are not out to ruin Christmas. They are out to save lives.
"If you are doing something stupid, dangerous or irresponsible on our roads over the coming weeks, there is every chance police will catch you and with double demerits you could easily lose your licence."
