ACPOS Road Policing

ACPOS FESTIVE DRINK/DRUG DRIVING 2009

Monday 7 Dec 2009 – Monday 4 Jan 2010

The ACPOS Festive Drink/Drug-Driving Campaign commenced at 0700 hours on Monday 7 December 2009 and will run until 0700 hours on Monday 4 January 2010.

The campaign was launched at the Scottish Parliament by Kevin Smith, Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police and Chair of the ACPOS Road Policing Business Area, Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, and Elish Angiolini QC, Lord Advocate.

This year the campaign aims to highlight the risks and consequences of drink-driving, and the message that Scotland has just got tougher on drink-driving. Drivers caught drink-driving over this year’s festive campaign will face tougher consequences. New enforcement in Scotland means drivers caught drink-driving for a second time can have their vehicle taken away for good.  Authorities have the power to seize and enforce forfeiture of the driver’s vehicle under the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.

Previous Festive Campaign figures
Year	Arrests
2008	654
2007	839
2006	908
2005	808
2004	762

Legislation
Section 33A of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988, allows the courts to forfeit vehicles of drivers convicted of certain offences, including drink-driving (an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 which is punishable with imprisonment). The legislation allows the Crown to apply for forfeiture at the sentencing stage of drink-driving proceedings.

Kevin Smith Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police and Chair of the ACPOS Road Policing Business Area

“Throughout the year, police officers across Scotland arrest thousands of drink drivers. Despite our warnings that we will target such individuals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they still risk wrecking not only the lives of others but also their own and those of their families, due to the severe consequences of being caught.”

“This year there will be an added risk in that motorists caught drink-driving now risk losing their car as well.”

“Anything that can result in fewer drivers risking drink-driving must be considered. Research shows that around one in nine deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit.”

He added: “This new initiative comes as we launch our Festive campaign against those who choose to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is an excellent example of how we can work closely with our colleagues in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal service to do everything at our disposal to deter such behaviour. The message is clear, don’t risk it”

On this site you will find a number of links to the websites of our partners in this particular campaign and in road safety in general. These include a link to the Road Safety Scotland campaign Don’t Risk It, Drink Aware and Crimestoppers. We would urge you to check out the important information which they contain.

www.dontriskit.info »