News

20 July 2010
DRINK DRIVING CAMPAIGN – NO JOURNEY IS WORTH THE RISK

As the ACPOS summer drink and drug driving campaign comes to a close it is highlighted that although the campaign is over officers throughout the country will continue to target drink and drug drivers. The message to motorists is clear - NO JOURNEY IS WORTH THE RISK; if you get caught you will lose your licence..
 
During the two-week campaign from Monday 5 July to Monday 19 July 2009, a total of 212 drivers were arrested, in addition to this six were unfit through drugs and six unfit through drink. The campaign also identified six repeat offenders and the courts are now giving consideration to seizing their vehicles.

This compares with 252 in the same period last year, with 16 held for drug driving and 1 for being unfit through drink.

During the campaign officers also targeted seatbelt offences and a total of 1117 people were detected.
 
ACPOS coordinates two campaigns annually to target drink and drug drivers. As well as the detection of offenders, the campaigns are used to highlight that driving whilst affected by alcohol or drugs is irresponsible, dangerous and unacceptable to society in general, with a view of educating and encouraging motorist not to take the risk.

Chief Superintendent Brian Anderson of Dumfries and Galloway Police, who leads on drink and drug driving for ACPOS, said:

“As this annual campaign comes to a close, it is heartening to see that the message is getting through and fewer drivers are risking their lives and the lives of others by driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

“Driving whilst unfit to do so is socially irresponsible and will not be tolerated and I would like to thank all those who took the time to inform the police of their concerns during this campaign. I would also ask that members of the public continue to contact the police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if they suspect anyone of driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

“This campaign has now finished but officers throughout the country will continue to target drink or drug drivers. ACPOS has a clear message for all drivers who drive whilst unfit to do so, if you get caught we will take your licence, if you get caught for a second time we will take your car. No journey is worth the risk.

Incidents of note.

Strathclyde – In the early hours of 19 July two men were arrested for the theft of a car in Auchinleck. The driver was found to be almost five times the drink drive limit. Around the same time in Stevenston two off duty police officers saw a man crash his car then run from the scene with his seven-year-old daughter. He was seen entering a taxi and when traced by police failed breath tests at the roadside and at Saltcoats police office.

Central Scotland - Three alleged drunk drivers were reported to the police by members of the public and a fourth by a CCTV operator who saw a man staggering about the roadway in Stirling then entering a vehicle and driving off. He was stopped and provided a positive breath test. A driver detected at 92mph in a 60mph limit provided a positive breath test.

Tayside – A 21-year-old female was arrested and found to be over the limit at 11.50am on the morning after a drinking session. A 39-year-old male was detected at over four times the limit and his vehicle was seized.

Lothian and Borders – Shortly after midnight on 13 July a member of the public reported a car being driven erratically on the A1 near Hadddington. The informant followed the car to Dunbar and gave a description of the driver and his address to police at the scene. A 42-year-old male was later arrested for drink driving. Later that day in Musselburgh a 77-year-old man was detained by a member of the public after being seen driving his car in an erratic manner. Police found the man to be in possession of an open bottle of vodka and also over the limit for driving. Early on 8 July a 17-year-old male was arrested for cycling while drunk after a local person from Penicuik made the report to police. A report has been sent to the procurator fiscal.

For further information please contact: David Steele, ACPOS Communications Manager, on 0141 435 1240 or 07771 842 881 (out-of-hours)