Almost 30 drink drivers were caught by police ‘the morning after’

Police stopped more than 7,000 vehicles, with 264 drink/drug offences detected, during the summer campaign against drink driving.
One in 28 drivers were detectedby Police Scotland officers for drink/drug offencesOne in 28 drivers were detectedby Police Scotland officers for drink/drug offences
One in 28 drivers were detectedby Police Scotland officers for drink/drug offences

A further 122 people failed the roadside drug test and enquiries into these incidents are ongoing.

The crackdown happened between June 27 and July 10.

Deputy head of road policing Superintendent Simon Bradshaw said: “Over the course of our summer road safety campaign one in 28 drivers were detected for drink/drug offences and it is disappointing that we are still stopping people who drive whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.”

Of the drivers found to be over the legal alcohol limit, 27 of them were caught ‘the morning after’.

Notable incidents included a 52-year-old man, who was doing over 90 miles per hour on the A96 near Alves on July 9. He was found to be almost five times over the limit.

A 27-year-old man has been charged with drink driving, driving while disqualified, and refusing to provide a breath sample after being spotted on CCTV driving erratically near Cleland in Lanarkshire on June 28.

Superintendent Bradshaw added: “Our campaign this year was intelligence led in order to target areas where we know people take unnecessary risks by drink or drug driving.

“It is disappointing to see that despite our advice and that of our Road Safety partners, some people are still willing to put themselves, and other innocent members of the public, at risk by drink or drug driving

“Drink or drug driving is known to be a contributory factor in serious injury and fatal collisions. By driving under the influence of drink or drugs, your actions could be responsible for causing someone’s death or your own, leaving behind grieving family and friends.

“We continue to see a number of drivers reported to us by family members, friends or colleagues and I want to thank people who had the courage to report drink or drug drivers to us.

“This information helps our officers to act quickly to stop drivers under the influence before they seriously injure or kill someone and I would continue to encourage reporting of such unacceptable behaviour to us.”

Justice secretary Humza Yousaf said: “It is disappointing that there continues to be a persistent minority of drivers who ignore the law and put their lives and those of others at risk, by driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“This is the first summer campaign with Scotland’s new drug driving offence operating and the irresponsible actions of these few drivers caught under the influence is discouraging as we try to make Scotland’s roads safer.

“My message is absolutely clear – to drink and drive is utterly unacceptable and will ruin lives. We fully support Police Scotland’s summer enforcement campaign, which reinforces the message that the best approach is none.”