News

21 July 2009
LATEST DRINK DRIVING FIGURES NO CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION

The message to motorists about driving under the influence appears to be getting through, according to Figures for the ‘Summer Drink-Drugs Driving Campaign’ launched by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.
 
During the two-week campaign from Monday 7th July to Tuesday 21st July 2009, a total of 267 drivers were arrested, including 14 who were unfit through drugs and one unfit through drink.

This compares with 343 in the same period last year including 13 held for drug driving and 10 for being unfit through drink.

The summer safety campaign aims to drive home the message to motorists that driving whilst affected by drugs or alcohol is unacceptable.

Chief Superintendent Brian Anderson of Dumfries and Galloway Police, who leads on casualty reduction and drink driving for ACPOS, said:

“I am encouraged by these figures as any reduction is welcome. They are certainly no cause for celebration, however, as once again we are seeing hundreds of drivers put themselves and others at risk by driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Although our high profile campaign has ended, officers will still be on patrol and carrying out road checks in your local area, where there’s a high chance of you being stopped.

“This also takes into account morning drivers, who may still have alcohol in their system.

“Throughout Scotland every day of the year police are cracking down on drivers who flout the law, putting themselves and others at risk, and I urge motorists who drink or take drugs and drive to think long and hard before they get behind the wheel.

“The consequences for both themselves and for others are well documented.  Don’t risk it!”

• In Fife a female driver was twice the legal limit when breath tested after a crash
• In Grampian a 64-year-old woman was found to be over the limit for the second time in five weeks despite police warnings about her behaviour
• Also in Grampian a learner driver and her female supervisor were both found to be unfit through drugs after their vehicle was in a crash
• In Lothian and Borders a man stole a delivery van and when caught was found to be under the influence of alcohol and have no licence
• A woman was arrested and held in custody after taking her partner’s car following an argument and driving it erratically, mounting the pavement and striking a parked vehicle
• A 55-year-old man was arrested by Northern officers in Aviemore after giving a positive breath test and having no licence or insurance. He is also charged with giving false details
• In Strathclyde a 36-year-old man who is already the subject of five lifetime driving bans refused to give a specimen after being suspected of being impaired through drink
• In Pitlochry a 38-year-old man was challenged by Tayside officers for using a mobile phone and provided a positive breath test while in Dundee a 42-year-old man failed to stop after a collision and was found to be two and a half times the limit