ACPOS Road Policing

ACPOS FESTIVE DRINK/DRUG DRIVING 2009

General Questions on the campaign and new enforcement initiative

• Q. Who is behind the 2009 festive drink drive campaign?
  The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland are supporting ACPOS and COPFS to deliver Scotland’s festive drink-driving campaign. Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill, the Lord Advocate, the Right Honourable Elish Angiolini QC and the Head of ACPOS Road Policing, Central Scotland Chief Constable Kevin Smith, will launch the campaign on 7 December.
• Q. Why are you running a festive drink driving campaign and what is its aim?
  Approximately 1 in 9 deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit. The risk of being involved in an accident increases rapidly when alcohol and/or drugs are consumed.
  This year, the campaign aims to highlight the risks and consequences of drink-driving, and the message that Scotland has just got tougher on drink-driving with the new enforcement of existing road traffic legislation.
• Q. What is the new enforcement and how is Scotland ‘getting tougher on drink driving’?
  All drivers caught drink-driving face losing their licence, getting a criminal record and a fine of up to £5000. In Scotland the new enforcement initiative during the festive campaign means if you are caught drink driving for a second time your vehicle can be taken away from you for good.  
• Q. Can you outline what consequences/risks drivers who are caught drink-driving face?
  Driving or attempting to drive whilst above the legal alcohol limit will result in:
  
  • Loss of licence – an automatic 12 month driving ban
  • A risk of being fined up to £5,000
  • A criminal record – for a minimum of 20 years
  • An offence which stays on your licence for 11 years
  • And can now result in seizure and forfeiture of the driver’s vehicle

  The amount of drink someone has taken makes no difference – whether just over the limit or well over the limit. In the eyes of the law, they are still a convicted drunk-driver and the consequences are exactly the same. And if caught driving over the limit the next morning, motorists also face the same consequences as if they had been caught the night before.

  Having a criminal record can impact on peoples' lives, affecting relationships, job prospects, travel (for example to the USA), insurance premiums, hiring a car and social standing.
  

• Q. Under what law is the new enforcement being made, and who will make it?
  Authorities have the power to seize and forfeit vehicles under the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988. There was an amendment made in 1995 which allows the forfeiture of vehicles in various offences.
• Q. Who is supporting the new enforcement?
  COPFS, ACPOS and the Scottish Government are all supporting the new enforcement.
• Q. Does the new enforcement apply to everybody?
  All drivers caught drink-driving face losing their licence, getting a criminal record and a fine of up to £5000. This new initiative applies to drivers who already have a previous drink-driving conviction or a pending case for drink-driving.
• Q. How are you informing people about the new enforcement?
  We are announcing details of the new enforcement at the launch of the 2009 Festive drink-drive campaign on 7 December and supporting it with a new television, radio and online advertising campaign, as well as local partnership activity.
• Q. Where can people find out more information?
  Further information can be found at www.dontriskit.info