News

21 December 2009
CAMPAIGN ARRESTS REACH 250 AS PUBLIC CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE POLICE AND REPORT DRINK DRIVERS

Week two of this year’s four week campaign saw 129 drivers arrested for being over the legal limit whilst driving in Scotland. This figure also includes 11 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, a 55 year old male has had his Land Rover Freelander forfeited after pleading guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

In another high profile case actor Darren Day was arrested in Edinburgh and his Mercedes motor car seized pending his Court appearance early in the New Year.

The number of drivers caught was again down on the same period last year when 187 drivers were arrested.

The figures bring the total of drink/drug drivers to 253 and the number of repeat offenders to 28, eleven of which have had their vehicles seized, one has been forfeited and another four will be considered at Court today.

Kevin Smith Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police and Chair of the ACPOS Road Policing Business Area said,
“Hopefully with all the publicity this week motorists will realise that we are serious about removing drink drivers from our roads and by doing so making our roads safer.” He also added “Members of the public are coming forward more and more to tell us about drivers who are risking the lives of others by using their car after drinking alcohol. This further increases the risk of being caught and I would like to thank those people for helping us during the campaign”

Michael McDonnell, Director of Road Safety Scotland said
“While it is encouraging to see a lower number of positive breath-tests compared to last year, it is really surprising that people are still prepared to risk drink-driving, especially given all the publicity around at the moment.  Last week, calls from the public resulted in a sizeable number of people being caught, and I think this sends out a clear message that the people of Scotland want drink-drivers off our roads once and for all.  It’s not only the police who can catch you drink-driving, so don’t risk it.”

Members of the public can phone into their local office or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Other drivers caught across Scotland include:

Central
During the evening of Sunday 20 December a 40 year old male was arrested in Menstrie for drink driving, having been found slumped over the steering wheel of his car. The car had earlier been seen driven erratically. The driver has a previous conviction for drink driving, was kept in custody and will appear at Court on Monday 21 December.

During the early hours of Sunday 20 December a 27 year old male was arrested for drink driving in Stirling.  The driver has a previous conviction for drink driving and will appear at Court dependent on the results of blood analysis.

Fife
About 1915 hours on Thursday 17 December, a 43 year old female was stopped for speeding and defective front lighting in Glenrothes. She failed a roadside breath test and thereafter failed the station procedure. She was also caught for shoplifting offences committed a short time earlier. She later appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Friday 18 December and due to a previous drink drive conviction the Sheriff has granted a warrant to seize the vehicle, an X registered Vauxhall Corsa.

During the early hours of Saturday 19 December a 24 year-old male was arrested for stealing a motor vehicle in St Andrews and was found to be almost twice the legal limit. The male was also reported for driving licence and insurance offences.

Also during the early hours of Saturday 19 December a 21 year old male who had recently been disqualified from driving was arrested in Kirkcaldy and also found to be over the legal drink drive limit. He is to appear from custody at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on 21 December 2009 as he was already subject to bail conditions.

Grampian
Following a collision with a pedestrian in Aberdeen on Monday 14 December, a 56 year old male was arrested for drink driving and due to being a repeat drink driver appeared at Court where he had his vehicle seized.

On Wednesday 16 December a 25 year old male was arrested in Aberdeen for drink driving and also charged with driving with a provisional licence, having no insurance and unlawfully removing a vehicle.

On Saturday 19 December a 20 year old male driver was arrested for drink driving following a minor collision in Peterhead. He is also being reported for other offences.

Lothian & Borders
A 55 year old male who admitted drink driving on the A68 near Dalkeith during the early hours of Thursday 17 December is to lose his car under the legislation targeting repeat offenders. It is the first case in Scotland where a drink-driver’s car (a Land Rover Free Lander) has been permanently seized. The male appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and was also banned for four years and fined £200.

During the early hours of Friday 18 December a 41 year old male, actor Darren Day, was arrested after an alleged hit and run road accident in Edinburgh. He also failed to provide a road side breath test and further samples at the police office. He was also charged with other offences including failing to report the accident and being in possession of an offensive weapon. He appeared from custody at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday afternoon where he pled not guilty but his Mercedes was seized and a Court date set for January.

Northern
On Saturday 19 December 2009 a 62 year old female was arrested for drink driving in Inverness City Centre following a call from a member of the public. Due to being on bail for a pending offence she was kept in custody and will appear at Inverness Sheriff Court on Monday 21 December where vehicle seizure will be considered.

All five drink driving arrests followed phone calls from members of the public.

Strathclyde
During the early hours of Sunday 20 December a 27 year old male driver was arrested for drink driving in St Vincent Street, Glasgow. Due to being a repeat drink driver he was kept in custody for appearance at Glasgow Sherriff Court where seizure of his Mazda RX8 will be considered.

Also during the early hours of Sunday 20 December a 28 year old male was arrested driving a Honda Accord in Renfield Street, Glasgow. The vehicle was seized and the driver, who has a pending drink drive case and will appear at Court on Monday 21 December where a decision on whether to continue seizure of his vehicle will be made.

Tayside
On Thursday 17 December 2009 a 41 year old male was stopped for speeding in Perth. He was thereafter arrested for drink driving and also found to have a previous drink driving conviction. The male appeared from custody on Friday morning at Perth Sheriff Court where he was given a lifetime driving ban and received the following prison sentence (concurrent) - drink driving: eight months, disqualified driving; eight months; attempt to pervert the course of justice: four months. Enquiries are ongoing regarding vehicle forfeiture.

During the early hours of Saturday 19 December a 23 year old male was arrested in Kinross and found to be over three times the legal limit.

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

Central 6 (2)
Dumfries 2 (0)
Fife 6 (1)
Grampian 21 (1)
Lothian & Borders 29 (1)
Northern 5 (1)
Strathclyde 48 (2)
Tayside 12 (1)

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