Tough Christmas Drink Driving Campaign

5th December 2011

Police announce tough new measures to combat drink and drug driving - ACPOS Festive Safety Campaign.

Police will carrying out static daily road checks morning, noon and night across the Highlands as part of this years ACPOS Festive Safety Campaign to crack down on drink and drug drivers.

This is just one of a number of measures being promised by Northern Constabulary for the four week campaign which begins today (Monday 5 December 2011).

Scotland's other police forces are also taking part of this nationally co-ordinated campaign.

Officers from the Force's Road Policing Unit will join local officers in proactively targeting those who continue to ignore the warnings about drink and driving.

Those who are caught also risk being locked up and kept in police cells until they appear in court.

This year's festive drink and drug driving campaign will see the introduction of tough new measures targeting first time offenders who provide a sample for analysis, which is three times the legal limit or more and also those offenders who refuse to provide a sample for analysis without a reasonable excuse.

As well as receiving a criminal record, a substantial fine and an automatic minimum 12 month ban, these drivers may now have their vehicle seized and on conviction, have it taken away for sale or destruction.

Police will be collating figures during the four week campaign to highlight the number of people who continue to ignore the warnings and put themselves, other road users and pedestrians at risk.

Head of the Force's Road Policing Unit, Inspector Derek Paterson, said, "In a new move this year we will be carrying out static checks on roads morning, noon and night and therefore the likelihood and consequences of getting caught has never been higher.

"The figures show that approximately 1 in 7 deaths in Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit. The risk of being involved in a collision increases rapidly when alcohol and/or drugs are involved.

"I would therefore ask members of the public to report those who drive under the influence of drink or drugs irrespective or whether they are family, friends or work colleagues. They are all risking lives and we will deal robustly with anyone committing such a serious offence."

He added: "The forfeiture initiative first came in for the 2009 festive safety campaign and granted powers to seize vehicles under a warrant issued by the court for drivers who were caught drink or drug driving for a second or subsequent time.

"On conviction their vehicle is forfeited, then sold or destroyed. The scheme has been extended this year to include any first time offender found to be three times the drink drive limit or more and those who refuse to provide a specimen for analysis without a reasonable excuse."

"It is hoped the added consequences will act as a deterrent and further discourage those intending to drive whilst under the influence of drink or drugs."

Inspector Paterson would also like to thank the public for their support in relation to the reporting of those they suspect may be drunk or drug driving and he urged them to continue to come forward and report them.

He said: "Our communities see driving under the influence of drink or drugs as a major concern and this is clear to us given the support we receive.

"I would urge people to continue to pledge that support and report anyone they suspect may be driving or attempting to drive whilst under the influence."

The statistics are stark - 7563 people were caught drink or drug driving in 2010 which is an average of around 20 offenders every day. That is unacceptable in a modern, civilised society.

Police are asking people to consider one other set of figures before breaking the law. Just over 1 in 7 deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit.

This means that such fatalities cost the Scottish economy an estimated £55 million a year. The cost to families of the loss of a parent, a sibling or a child cannot be calculated.