News

28 December 2011
ACPOS FESTIVE DRINK DRIVE CAMPAIGN – WEEK THREE UPDATE

 

During the third week of the annual ACPOS Festive Drink Drug Drive Campaign, police officers across Scotland have detected 107 offenders who were driving whilst over the legal alcohol limit. In addition a further nine offenders were detected for driving whilst under the influence of drugs and four offender was reported for driving whilst impaired through alcohol. This compares with 110 drink drivers and 10 who were unfit through drugs and one who was unfit through alcohol for the similar period last year.

Chief Superintendent Kate Thomson, ACPOS lead on drink driving, said “We have detected 107 people who still thought it appropriate to drink and drive, in addition another nine who were caught driving whilst impaired by drugs and four who were caught driving whilst impaired by alcohol, I find these figures totally unacceptable.

“As we continue through the festive season and more people will undoubtedly be socialising with friends and family, I would urge anyone who has a drink to avoid driving. We highlight weekly along with the statistics the incidents that have been extreme, for example the very high readings or those who are inexperienced or disqualified drivers, I would like to remind everyone that these are the exceptions to the rule and the majority of offenders caught are those who take a few drinks and take the chance to drive home or to work.

“During the first three weeks of this campaign, over 100 offenders detected for drink driving were under twice the legal limit, and over 70 offences were detected between 0600hrs and 1000hrs, classed as the morning after for offenders. As we move in to the new year party season, I would ask everyone to consider these statistics and remember that no matter what the level of alcohol is in your body, If you are over the limit even by a small amount, you will lose your licence, you will receive a fine and you will be arrested and treated like any other criminal.

“The message must get out to those drivers who continue to risk their lives and the lives of other road users. Don’t risk it. Don’t drive while under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

“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 999 or through the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111 where the information will be treated in confidence of anonymity."

Incidents of note:

Central Scotland
Central Scotland Police detected nine people for drink driving.

At 0400hrs on 24 December in the Alloa area, officers in an unmarked Police vehicle observed a BMW motor vehicle swerve about the carriageway, strike the kerb and brake erratically. A marked police vehicle assisted and stopped the vehicle, where officers detected alcohol from the 36 year old male driver, the male refused to provide any samples for analysis and he was detained in custody pending his appearance at court. As he refused to provide a sample for analysis a request has been made to the court to consider seizing his vehicle which is valued at over £20,000.

At 0455hrs 25 December, in Cultonhove Stirling, witnesses heard a loud crashing noise outside their home, on going outside they saw a Ford Fiesta had crashed into the garden and struck a parked vehicle. As a witness was telephoning the police a male approached waving his arms in an attempt to stop them contacting the police, advising them that the vehicle that was in the garden was his and that he had been driving. Officers attended and traced the 20 year old male driver, who appeared under the influence of alcohol; the male was arrested and later provided a specimen of nearly twice the legal limit. The male was also charged with careless driving and having no insurance.

Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary detected seven offenders for drink driving and one for driving whilst driving under the influence of alcohol.

Fife
Fife Constabulary detected six offenders for drink driving.
 
Grampian
Grampian Police detected 20 drink drivers, four for driving under the influence of drugs and one for driving under the influence of alcohol.

At 1145hrs on 19 December in Elgin, a 22 year old male disqualified driver unlawfully removed a vehicle with a one year old child restrained in the rear.  After driving a short distant he crashed, slightly injuring the child.  The driver was found to be nearly twice the drink drive limit. He was also charged with having no motor insurance and charged under the Children & Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937.

At 0240hrs on 24 December in Aberdeen, following a report from a member of the public that a vehicle was driving erratically, officer stopped the vehicle and detected alcohol from the 33 year old male driver.  The male was arrested for drink driving and enquiries found that he was a repeat offender, only having appeared in Aberdeen Sheriff Court some 3 weeks earlier for drink driving. A request has been made to the court to consider seizing his vehicle.

At 0015hrs on 26 December in Newmachar, Aberdeenshire, a 21 year old male driver was stopped for exceeding the speed limit. Officers detected alcohol from him and he was arrested, he later provided a breath specimen of over twice the legal limit, he was also reported for driving whilst disqualified and for no motor insurance.

At 0135hrs on 26 December near Newtonhill, Aberdeenshire, a 23 year old female driver was seen driving erratically by police officers, when she was stopped officers detected alcohol from her; she was arrested and later provided a breath specimen of one and a half times the legal limit. She had only passed her driving test on Christmas Eve.

Lothian and Borders
Lothian and Borders Police detected 18 offenders for drink driving and one for driving under the influence of drugs.

About 0550 hrs on 19 December officers responded to a call in Prestonpans, East Lothian, following a report of a blue Ford Mondeo motorcar striking a traffic island. The 54 year old male driver of the vehicle was then seen to fall out onto the roadway in an intoxicated state. The 44 year old female passenger then entered the driver's seat and drove the car a short distance only to park it round the corner. The male then returned to the vehicle and drove off despite a front tyre being off the rim. The vehicle was then traced nearby and was stopped by officers; both were arrested for drink driving, the male later provided a specimen that was over twice the legal limit and the female provided a specimen of just under twice the legal limit.

About 1710hrs on 19 December, following information received from a member of the public officers were alerted to a Rover Metro being driven erratically in Livingston, West Lothian. The witness followed the vehicle to Kirkfield West where it was abandoned; officers attended and traced the vehicle unattended. Following enquiries a 50 year old male was traced to a nearby address where he provided a positive breath test. The male was arrested and later provided a specimen of over three times the legal limit. Due to the high reading a request has been made for the court to consider seizing the vehicle.

About 1630 hrs on 20 December, following a report from a member of the public, officers responded to a circulation of a minor collision in St Stephen Street, Edinburgh whereby a Landrover Discovery was seen to strike a parked vehicle. Enquiries resulted in the detection of a 46 year old male who admitted being the driver of the vehicle. He was arrested for drink driving and later provided a specimen of over four times the legal limit. The male was detained in custody pending his appearance at court, where a request was made to consider seizing his vehicle.

About 1225hrs on 21 December, a two-vehicle collision occurred in Torwoodlee Road, Galashiels, Scottish Borders, between a Ford Focus motorcar and a stationary, parked motor vehicle. The 36 year old female driver of the Ford motorcar spoke to the other driver and then left the scene. She was traced to a nearby house where she identified herself as the driver of the Ford motor car when the collision occurred and provided a positive breath test.  She was arrested and later provided a specimen of nearly four times the legal limit. Enquiries revealed that the accused was convicted of drink driving in 2009 and received a one-year period of disqualification. Having completed the year of disqualification the accused failed to apply for driving licence to be re-instated. The female was detained in custody pending her appearance at court, where a request was made to consider seizing her vehicle.
 
About 0300hrs on 24 December, Road Policing officers attended a collision at the junction of the B8048 and B8028 Balmuir Bridge, nr Westfield West Lothian. The 46 year old male was found slumped over the wheel, where he refused to provide a breath sample. He was arrested and later provided a positive breath specimen. Enquiries revealed that he was wanted on an Interpol European Arrest Warrant for Theft, forgery and fraud from Portugal.

Northern
Northern Constabulary detected 11 offenders for drink driving.

At 0050hrs on 21 December, a 28 year old male was stopped for driving his car erratically on the A9 near Evanton. He appeared to officers to be under the influence of alcohol and was arrested; however he later refused to provide any sample for analysis. He was detained in custody pending his appearance at court where a request was made to consider seizing his vehicle.

At 0330hrs 24 December an 18 year old female was stopped whilst driving her car in Aviemore. Officers detected alcohol from her breath and she was arrested, she later provided a specimen of nearly three times the legal limit. Enquiries revealed that she had only passed her driving test in June 2011.

Strathclyde
Strathclyde Police detected 21 offenders for drink driving, four for driving under the influence of drugs and two for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Tayside
Tayside Police detected 15 offenders for drink driving.

About 0340hrs on 20 December acting on information received from a member of the public officers stopped a vehicle in Kingsway West, Dundee. On speaking to the 45 year old female driver officers detected the smell of alcohol. The female was arrested and later provided breath specimen of almost three times the legal limit.
 
About 1500hrs on 20 December again acting on information received from a member of the public officers stopped a vehicle on Kingsway West, Dundee. On speaking to the 46 year old male driver officers detected the smell of alcohol. The male was arrested and later provided breath specimen of almost four times the legal limit.  Due to his high reading a request was submitted to the court to consider seizing and forfeiting his vehicle.

About 1900hrs on 21 December a member of the public reported a vehicle driving erratically and dangerously on the A90 south of Brechin.  The vehicle was stopped on the outskirts of Dundee and the 32 year old male driver was arrested. He later provided a breath specimen of over twice the legal limit. The male was also reported for dangerous driving, and driving without insurance or a licence.

About 1610hrs on 23 December following information received from a member of the public, officers stopped a vehicle on Bridge of Earn Road, Dunning. On speaking to the 52 year old female driver officers’ detected alcohol and she was arrested. The female later provided a breath specimen of over three and a half times the legal limit. Due to her high reading a request has been submitted to the court to consider seizing her vehicle.

About 2230 hrs, 23 December, following a routine vehicle stop in Dundee City Centre, officers’ detected alcohol from the 30 year old female driver. She was arrested and later provided a breath specimen of over three times the legal limit. Due to her high reading a request has been submitted to the court to consider seizing her vehicle.