News

29 December 2009
FESTIVE DRIVERS BEGIN TO HEED DRINK DRIVE MESSAGE

A TOTAL of 100 drivers were arrested for being over the legal limit whilst driving in Scotland – a significant reduction on last year’s numbers. This figure also includes six drivers who failed to heed the warning from Scottish police forces, Crown Office and the Government that repeat drink-drivers would face tougher action and face have their vehicles taken away.

Of those repeat offenders, a 62 year old man has had his Audi TT forfeited after pleading guilty to offences, including drink driving, at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

In another case a 35 year old woman was reported by a member of the public who saw her slumped over her steering wheel in Dumfries town centre with her four year old daughter in the vehicle. Police found her to be well over the legal limit.

The number of drivers caught was again down on the same period last year when 168 drivers were arrested.

The figures bring the total of drink/drug drivers to 353, down from 516 on the same period last year, and the number of repeat offenders to 34.

Chief Superintendent Brian Anderson of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, who is the ACPOS lead on casualty reduction said, “Although we are seeing a reduction in the number of drink drivers caught so far during this years campaign we must not allow ourselves to become complacent and police officers across Scotland will continue to target those drivers who are prepared to take the risk.”

He added “Although the campaign is now entering its final week members of the public can be reassured that we will continue the fight against drink and drug drivers on Scotland’s roads everyday of the year and as such urge the public to continue reporting such drivers to us”

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

Other drivers caught across Scotland included:

Central
About 20.45 hours on Saturday 26 December a 28 year old man was arrested for unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, colliding with two others and leaving the scene in Polmont. He thereafter refused the breath test at the police office, was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and was also found to be disqualified from driving until 2010. He was also charged with having no insurance and found to have a previous drink driving charge from 2000.

Dumfries & Galloway
About 1350 hours on Wednesday 23 December a call was received from a member of the public regarding a female who had been seen slumped over the steering wheel of her car which was parked on the pavement within Dumfries Town Centre. Police attended and found a 35 year old female in the driver’s seat of a Mazda 121 motor vehicle together with her four year old daughter in the car. The female was well under the influence of alcohol and she provided a positive roadside breath test. She was arrested and at Dumfries Police Office was found to be over four times the legal limit. She failed to provide a second sample and due to having been charged with drink driving on two previous occasions was held in custody until her appearance at Dumfries Sheriff Court where she pleaded guilty and her vehicle has been seized pending forfeiture.

Fife
During the early hours of Sunday 27 December a 16 year old disqualified driver was arrested in Kirkcaldy after stealing a Ford Fiesta from West Torbain. He was found to be driving whilst unfit through drink and with a 13 year old friend on board.

Lothian & Borders
A 23 year old Man was arrested in South Bridge in Edinburgh at 0400 hours on Christmas Day following a collision with a taxi.  He had only been disqualified at Edinburgh Sheriff Court (for 18 months) for a drink driving offence a fortnight earlier.  Kept in custody all weekend and appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where he pleaded not guilty.

Northern
On Saturday 26 December a 36 year old man was arrested for drink driving in Ross-Shire. He was found to be over three times the drink drive limit and due to a previous drink drive conviction was held in custody and appeared at Dingwall Sheriff Court on Monday 28 December were his Astra vehicle was seized pending forfeiture procedure.

Also on 26 December a 43 year old man was arrested for drink driving in Ross-Shire. He was found to be three times the legal limit and kept in custody until his appearance at Court on 28 December.

Tayside
About 2105 hours on Thursday 24 December a 47 year old man was arrested for drink driving in George Street, Montrose. Due to having a previous drink drive conviction he was kept in custody until his appearance at Arbroath Sheriff Court when his Jaguar XK8 was seized pending forfeiture.

About 2250 hours on Sunday 27 December a 23 year old man was arrested in Auld Bond Rd, Perth. He was found to be almost twice the legal limit and due to a previous drink drive conviction was kept in custody until his appearance at Perth Sheriff Court where a request for vehicle forfeiture was not granted.

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

Central 3 (0)
Dumfries 2 (1)
Fife 4 (0)
Grampian 16 (0)
Lothian & Borders 14 (2)
Northern 6 (1)
Strathclyde 46 (0)
Tayside 9 (2)

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