More Drink Drivers Caught In Last Week Of Campaign

7th January 2014

Highland and Islands Police report an increase in drink drivers following the final week of national campaign.

Police in the Highlands and Islands are reporting an increase in the number of people detected drink driving during the 2013 festive drink drive campaign compared to the 2012 campaign.

During week 4 of the campaign, which ran from 07:00 hours on Friday 27 December to 07:00 hours of Friday 03 January 2014, eleven drivers were found to be over the drink drive limit and one driver was found to be driving whilst under the influence of drugs. Week four's detections take the total number of drivers caught during the 4 week initiative in the Highland and Islands Division to 42 drink drivers and 3 drug drivers.

This year's campaign had particular focus on morning after offenders and 6 motorists were detected drink driving between the hours of 06:00 and 10:00 hours.

Divisional Head of Road Policing, Inspector Neil Lumsden said: "The fact that 42 drink drivers have been detected during 2013 against 40 during the 2012 campaign is frustrating and shows that there are still people out there who are prepared to risk their own lives and the lives of others. What is pleasing however is the fact that these 42 drink drivers represent only a small proportion of the 1100 plus motorists that were stopped and breathalysed by Highland and Islands officers over the 4 weeks.”

"Although the festive safety campaign has ended I would like to remind motorists that we will continue to stop drivers we suspect to be under the influence of drink and drugs. Over 50% of those detected during the festive campaign were as a result of routine stop checks by officers and this will continue throughout 2014.”

"I would also like to thank the public for their support and information during this campaign and also to the law abiding motorists who were stopped during the initiative for their patience and understanding. The police have always benefited from strong public support in the Highlands and Islands and I have no doubt that this will continue throughout 2014 as we work together to keep people safe on the regions roads.”

Police are urging the public to contact 101 or at the time of an incident on 999 to provide any information on those they suspect to be drink or drug driving. Reports can also be received anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online at http://www.crimestoppers/uk.org/. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.