News

12 December 2011
ACPOS FESTIVE DRINK DRIVE CAMPAIGN
– WEEK ONE UPDATE

 

During the first week of the annual ACPOS Festive Drink Drug Drive Campaign, police officers across Scotland have detected 118 offenders who were driving while over the legal alcohol limit. In addition a further six offenders were detected for driving while under the influence of drugs and three offenders were detected when driving whilst under the influence of alcohol. This compares with 93 drink drivers and four who were unfit through drugs for the similar period last year.

The vehicle forfeiture scheme was also extended to coincide with the launch of this campaign and during the first week it has been requested that consideration be given to seizing offenders’ vehicles during this period, the large majority of which were under the new criteria.

Chief Superintendent Kate Thomson who is the ACPOS lead on Drink Driving said:

“As most of Scotland was gripped by severe weather which made driving conditions hazardous for everyone, it is astonishing that anyone would consider driving whilst impaired by alcohol or drugs.

“The message needs to get out to those offenders who chose to take the risk and drink and drive, that it is illegal, dangerous and at times a fatal decision. We have extended the vehicle forfeiture scheme this year to target those who provide a high reading and as the statistics show a considerable number of offenders will, on conviction, face the added consequence of losing their vehicle for good.

“It is encouraging that with the support of the public and all law enforcement partners we have removed over a hundred drivers from our roads for the next twelve months, however we must continue to educate all drivers that it is not worth the risk and when they are faced with the decision on whether to drive after consuming alcohol or drugs, they will decide to leave the vehicle and seek other forms of transport.

“I would encourage anyone who suspects that a person is driving or attempting to drive whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs to contact the police. They can either call the police direct via their local office or by dialling 999 or through the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111 where the information will be treated in confidence of anonymity."

Regional breakdown and incidents of note.

Central Scotland

In the Central Scotland force area, five people were caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

Dumfries and Galloway

In the Dumfries and Galloway force area, four people were found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.

Fife

In the Fife force area, 15 people were caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

On 5 December at 10pm within the Roadworks section of the M90, which has a 40mph speed restriction for the safety of contractors working on site, a vehicle was detected driving at excessive speed and straddling both lanes of the carriageway. Officers stopped the vehicle and on speaking to the driver found him to be a 17 year old male who had only passed his test six months earlier, officers also detected alcohol from his breath, he was arrested and provided a breath sample of over three times the legal limit.

Grampian

In the Grampian force area, 14 people were caught driving under the influence of alcohol, a further two people were unfit through drugs and one person was unfit through alcohol.

On 9 December at 7.30pm in Aberdeen, police officers noted a vehicle driving erratically and driving at slow speed, the vehicle was stopped and on speaking with the 28 year old female driver, who was travelling to her work, officers could detect alcohol from her breath. The female was arrested and provided a breath sample of over 4 and a half times the legal limit.

Lothian and Borders

In the Lothian and Borders force area, 17 people were caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

On 5 December within hours of the drink drive campaign being launched, officers were on patrol on the A198 North Berwick to Whitekirk road. When they came across a non-injury collision, the officers detected a strong smell of alcohol from the breath of the male driver, who stated he had consumed two bottles of vodka. He was arrested and provided a breath sample of four times the legal limit. A request has been made to seize his vehicle.

On 7 December about 9pm, a 51 year old female suspected of being under the influence of alcohol was seen leaving a superstore in the south west of Edinburgh in her vehicle.  She was traced to her home address and despite claiming that she had only consumed one glass of wine she provided a breath sample of over four times the legal limit.

Northern

In the Northern Constabulary force area, seven people were caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

Strathclyde

In the Strathclyde force area, 48 people were caught driving under the influence of alcohol, a further three people were unfit through drugs and two people were unfit through alcohol.

On 5 December about 9am, as a result of a report to police by member of the public, a 41 year old male driving a courtesy bus from Glasgow airport into Glasgow was stopped in Marchburn Drive, Glasgow Airport by police. He later provided a breath sample of over twice the legal limit.

On 10 December about 3am, in Alderman Road Glasgow, following a road crash in his father’s Vauxhall Insignia, a 19 year old male arrested.  The male has never held a driving licence and never taken driving lessons. He later provided a breath sample of over twice the legal limit.

10 December about 3.20am, a male was stopped by police in Wellington Square Ayr regarding his manner of driving. On speaking to the driver it was discovered he was 15 years of age. He subsequently failed a roadside breath test and was arrested a blood sample was taken to ascertain his alcohol level.

Tayside

In the Tayside force area, eight people were caught driving under the influence of alcohol and a further one person was unfit through drugs.