ACPOS SUMMER DRINK DRIVING CAMPAIGN – ‘THE HALF TIME SCORES ARE IN’ . . . DRINK DRIVERS ARE LOSING

Motorists who persist in driving after taking alcohol or drugs face being on the losing side this summer – losing their licence and perhaps their vehicle and livelihood too.

At the half-way stage in the ACPOS Summer Drink and Drug Driving Campaign, results show that people are still ignoring warnings and continuing to choose to drive whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

Figures for the first week of the campaign (June 4 –11) show that across Scotland, 111 people have been reported for drink driving and in addition three people were detected driving whilst being unfit through alcohol with five unfit through drugs.

A total of 15 vehicles have been seized for consideration of forfeiture by the court.

In one incident in Aberdeen, a female driver crashed into two parked cars and was found to be more than four times over the legal limit. She was also charged with dangerous driving.

In another incident in West Lothian, a woman was found to be driving whilst nearly three times the legal limit. Her 15 year old son was a passenger in the car.

Chief Superintendent Derek Robertson of Lothian and Borders Police is the Road Casualty Reduction Lead for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. He said: “The figures are marginally down on this time last year and that is refreshing to note. We welcome that trend and it is good to see that the number of people caught for driving whilst unfit through drugs has decreased by 60%. Hopefully the message is getting across.

“However it remains concerning that 111 drivers across Scotland have still opted to get behind the wheel when they are clearly incapable of driving safely. They pose a danger to other innocent road users and that is unacceptable.

“There are increased patrols on Scotland’s roads at present and the police are focused on catching drivers who take to the road whilst unfit through drink or drugs.
“Officers will continue with this initiative until June 18th and I would encourage the public who suspect anyone of driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs to contact the Police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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