News

17 December 2007
DRIVERS IGNORE FESTIVE DRINK DRIVE WARNINGS

ALMOST 200 drivers ignored warnings and broke the law during the first week of a nation-wide festive season drink-drug driving campaign.

A total of 186 drivers were caught drink driving or refusing to give a breath test while seven other drivers were found to be unfit to drive due to drink and six more unfit to drive due to drugs, bringing the overall total to199 drivers being charged.

"The warnings could not be clearer, take the risk of getting behind the wheel after consuming excess alcohol or drugs and the chances are you will be caught,” said Chief Constable John Vine (Tayside), Chair of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) Road Policing Business Area.

He added: “Although there were fewer drivers caught this year, it is still 199 too many.”

“If you are going to drink during this festive season, don’t drive - there is a host of alternatives in every community throughout Scotland for getting home without using the car.

“Our officers are out there protecting your safety 24/7.  We want you to have a Merry Christmas and to see the New Year in safely and happily.  Don’t make yourself a potential road fatality or drink-drug driver statistic,” concluded Chief Constable Vine.

In Strathclyde, a 25-year-old male was arrested following a pursuit in Glasgow City Centre when he failed to stop for police, was driving while disqualified as well as driving without insurance.  He was apprehended after a lengthy chase on foot, provided a positive breath specimen and was charged with drink driving. 

Meanwhile, his 30-year-old male passenger then drove the vehicle before being stopped, ran off only to be apprehended a short time later.  He, too, has been charged with drink driving, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Among other incidents of note were:

• a 19-year-old driver supervising a 21-year-old driver in a car in Elgin with both the driver and passenger under the influence of alcohol;
• an 18-year-old driver in Grampian reported for unlawful removal of his parent’s car, driving with no driver’s licence, no insurance, failing to stop and report a collision as well as driving under the influence of alcohol;
• a 50-year-old female in Falkirk failed to provide a  breath specimen when requested (She has a case pending showing nearly five times over the limit.);
• in Grangemouth, a 45-year-old male was charged for failing to provide a breath specimen, being unfit through drink, failing to stop, dangerous driving, being in possession of a controlled drug, obstructing police, assault and resisting arrest;
• in Caithness, a 58-year-old driver was caught drink driving on two consecutive days, was under the influence of alcohol and was remanded in custody over the weekend; and,

In Tayside, a number of offences with four reported by the public, included:

• a 52-year-old male in Glencarse being three times over the limit and being disqualified as well as driving without insurance; and,
• a 28-year-old male driver in Forfar reported by an off-duty officer for disqualified driving, dangerous driving and a number of other offences.