News

14 December 2009
DRIVERS FAIL TO HEED WARNINGS: MAY LOSE THEIR CARS

Week one of this year’s four week campaign saw 124 drivers arrested for being over the legal limit whilst driving in Scotland. This figure also includes 17 drivers who failed to heed the collective warning from Scottish police forces, Crown Office and the Government that repeat drink-drivers would face tougher action and have their vehicles taken away.

Of those repeat offenders five have had their vehicles seized and the remaining 12 are at various stages of the court process.

The number of drivers caught was down on the same period last year when 164 drivers were arrested.

Kevin Smith Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police and Chair of the ACPOS Road Policing Business Area said,

“Despite all our warnings and publicity that we are getting tougher on drink-drivers I am amazed that drivers in our communities are still prepared to take the risk of not only killing or injuring themselves or others but are now prepared to take the chance and risk being kept in a police cell, losing their licence and now their car.  

Mr Smith added, “A total of 124 drivers arrested is confirmation that we are out there 24/7 keeping our roads safe and I would urge every member of the community to consider it their responsibility to report drivers whom they suspect of drink-driving.

Those drivers who face the real prospect of losing their vehicle due to their previous convictions include:

Dumfries & Galloway
At 1615 hours on 11 December a 46 year old male was arrested driving a Volvo V40 near Castle Douglas. He was found to be over the drink drive limit.

Fife
About 2130 hours on Friday 11 December, a member of the public observed a male running away from an abandoned car on the B9157 near Kirkcaldy. The police were contacted and they traced a 39 year old male nearby who was identified as the driver and found to be over the legal limit.

About 0400 hours on Friday 11 December a member of the public observed a vehicle crashing into a lamppost on Cheviot Road, Kirkcaldy. The police attended and traced the 22 year old male driver who was found to be over twice the legal limit.
 
About 1000 hrs on Sunday 13 December a 19 year old male driver was stopped due to a faulty light and a noisy vehicle in Lochgelly. He was found to be unfit through drink, disqualified, had no insurance and had taken the car without consent. He also tried to give false details and it was confirmed he had a previous drink drive conviction.

Grampian
A 44 year old female drink driver was caught in Elgin on Saturday 12 December. She will appear at court as a repeat offender. 

Lothian & Borders
At 0240 hours on Saturday 12 December a 29 year old male was arrested for drink driving in Edinburgh City Centre following a police pursuit. The male has a drink driving conviction and is already disqualified from driving. 

Strathclyde
About 1400 hours on Monday 7 December a 43 year was arrested for drink driving, no insurance and no driving licence, in Cockmuir Street Glasgow.

At 2344 hours on Wednesday 9 December a 19 year old male was arrested for drink driving after crashing his Seat motor car on Lawmarnock Road, Bridge of Weir. The driver had appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court earlier that day for a similar drink driving charge.

About 2020 hours on Thursday 10 December a 29 year old male was stopped in Balbeggie Street Glasgow driving a Ford Mondeo. He was found to be over the prescribed limit, did not hold a full driving licence or insurance and has a previous conviction for drink driving.

At 00.10 hours on Friday 11 December a 29 year old male was stopped driving a Renault Megane in Lilac Avenue, Cumbernauld after colliding with the grass verge.

About 2210 hours on Saturday 12 December a 32 year old male was stopped in Main Street, Shotts driving a Vauxhall Vectra and failed a road side breath test. He was found to be over the prescribed limit and had a previous drink drive conviction.

At 1540 hrs on Friday 11 December a 51 year old male was stopped in Elderpark Street Glasgow, regarding his manner of driving. He refused to provide a roadside breath test and was arrested a found to be over the prescribed limit at Govan Police office, where it was also found he was not the holder of a full UK driving and a repeat drink driver.

 Tayside
During the early hours of Saturday 12 December a 29 year old male was arrested for drink driving on the A29 near Monteith. This was his second alleged drink drive offence within five days.

Figures for Scottish forces
(figures in brackets show repeat offenders)

Central 6 (0)
Dumfries 5 (1)
Fife 7 (3)
Grampian 8 (1)
Lothian & Borders 23 (2)
Northern 7 (0)
Strathclyde 56 (9)
Tayside 12 (1)

For further information, contact:
David Steele, Communications Manager, ACPOS
0141 435 1241 (office) or 07771 842 881 (out of hours)