News

21 December 2007
YOUNG DRIVERS RUNNING DRINK DRIVE RISK

YOUNG drivers across Scotland are running the risk of drinking and driving – and will end up paying with their licences.

In the two weeks since the festive drink-drug driving campaign backed by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland began almost 150 drivers aged under 25 have been found to be over the drink drive limit across Scotland.

The total for week two of the campaign is 235 bringing the total number of drivers charged with drink or drug driving offences to 434.

The chances of drivers who get behind the wheel after taking alcohol or drugs being detected by police are greater than ever with roadside testing being carried out after all road accidents and moving traffic offences which includes speeding and defective lighting.

Chief Constable John Vine of Tayside Police, Chair of the ACPOS Road Policing Business Area, said: “It is alarming that despite all our messages warning of the dangers of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, young people in particular are failing to pay attention.

“The ultimate responsibility must lie with the driver – however I would urge parents to play their part in not only encouraging young people to obey the law but also to keep a close eye on their behaviour when they are planning to drive.”

He added: “The roads are dangerous enough for young and inexperienced drivers without the added hazard of being impaired through drink or drugs.

“If we can take anything positive from this campaign so far it is the fact that increasing numbers of people are contacting us with information about suspected drunk drivers. It is simply not socially acceptable to risk your own and other people’s safety.”

In Stranraer a motorist reported to Police that a vehicle had swerved to avoid a collision and it had left the roadway and was in a field. The vehicle was then seen to be driving round the field looking for a way out. Police found it to be driven by an 18 year old male who subsequently provided a reading of over three times the limit.

Also in the Dumfries and Galloway area a 21 year old male sustained serious injury when his car left the A75 road while he was driving under the influence of drink. Fortunately no one else was involved in this collision.

Among other incidents of note were:

• A 58-year-old female was found asleep at the wheel in East Kilbride. She was found to be over four times the limit
• In Dundee a 42-year-old male was arrested following a collision and was found to be over five times the limit
• In Fife 21-year-old male was arrested for drink driving and also theft of the vehicle and attempting to pervert the course of justice
• Also in Fife a 46-year-old female was arrested for drink driving after being seen driving erratically with her 10-year-old daughter in the vehicle.
• In Brechin a 29-year-old female was arrested after failing to stop following a collision. She was later found to be over twice the limit

For further information, contact:

David Steele, ACPOS Communications Manager,
0141 435 1240 or 07771 842 881 out-of-hours.

For information at the Force level, please contact your local police force press office.