Drivers who commit a low-range drink driving offence will face an immediate three month driving ban at the roadside and a $561 fine.

And first-time mid-range drink driving offenders will also need to have an alcohol interlock device installed in their car on top of their driving suspension and fine.

Central West Police District Chief Inspector Dave Harvey said police would have special operations targeting drink driving in the Orange region over the Christmas holidays.

“There are changes coming to PCA legislation in the near future,” he said.

“You will be given a traffic infringement notice for a low range PCA and for a mid-range PCA you could be prevented from driving your motor vehicle.

“There is a potential in this season for high rates of crashes but we can limit the amount of alcohol people drink before they drive because the warning is police will be out.

“Every police vehicle is a random breathing station and can pull you over to conduct that test.

“If you are over the limit you will be arrested and taken to the police station where if you go over the limit you will be taken to the court and charged.”

Road Safety Officer for Orange and Cabonne councils Andrea Hamilton-Vaughan urged Christmas party-goers not to drink and drive.

“It is not the time to be playing Russian roulette with your licence,” she said.

“Leave the car behind, take a taxi, taxis are not expensive in Orange.”

Mrs Hamilton-Vaughan said people did not realise how much alcohol they had consumed.

“Your blood alcohol level rises for another two hours after your last drink and that brings a lot of people undone,” she said.

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And she warned bosses.

“If you serve alcohol to an employee and they drive the company car home and that company car crashes, even if they’re not at fault, you have done your insurance,” she said.