Drink Drive Campaign Will Be Enforced Hard This Year

3rd December 2012

Police vow to use all resources at their disposal to catch drink drivers as Festive Safety campaign kicks off.

Whilst senior officers support any plans to reduce the drink drive limit the message is that those who plan to get behind the wheel should not drink any alcohol at all.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) is backing the four week Festive Safety Campaign which starts today (Monday 3 December 2012). The campaign targets those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Northern Constabulary officers will be carrying out high profile patrols across the Force area in marked and unmarked vehicles and will conduct static checks whilst acting on information from the public in targeting known offenders.

Head of the Force's Road Policing Unit, Inspector Neil Lumsden, said: "There are still motorists who are prepared to risk not only losing their licence, but also their family life as the consequences of drink driving often leads to the loss of their freedom.

"Northern Constabulary and our partner agencies will deal robustly with anyone who breaks the drink/drug drive laws and ensure that they face the consequences.

"Those who flout this law are likely to receive a fine, could lose their driving licence for at least a year. Repeat offenders and those who give a high reading could perhaps lose their vehicle."

He added: "Many crashes happen as a result of drivers drinking or taking drugs and as many as one in nine road deaths is related to a drink or drug driver.

"The public in the Highlands and Islands have been very supportive of Police with regards to drink and drug drivers and have contacted us with information on numerous occasions.

"I would urge people to continue to support us and report anyone they suspect may be drink or drug driving."

Police are urging the public to help end the scourge of drink and drug driving by reporting suspected offenders to Northern Constabulary on 0845 600 5703 or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Drink driving is not worth the risk. Offenders are at risk of losing their licence, family or even their job. Being caught drink or drug driving could also result if offenders being forced to re-sit their test and now under vehicle forfeiture legislation drink drivers could lose their vehicles.