Drink Driver Arrests Down But Campaign Goes On Into 2013

28th December 2012

Police in Highlands and Islands encouraged but not complacent following drop in drink drive arrests - ACPOS Festive Safety Campaign.

Police in the Highlands and Islands say they are encouraged by the figures following week three of the ACPOS Festive Safety Campaign, aimed at targeting drink and drug drivers.

Eight drivers were caught during week three compared to 11 during the same period last year.

And whilst the Force Road Policing Unit Inspector, Neil Lumsden, is still disappointed that so many were caught, he is encouraged by the reduction in the figures. This trend was also apparent after week two of the campaign.

He said: "It is encouraging to see a steady reduction in the number of people caught drink driving, however, we will not be complacent and will continue to get the message out there that it is not worth the risk.

"We will continue to target those who choose to drink and drive for the remainder of the campaign and beyond that. Those who drink or take drugs before driving are not only putting their own lives at risk but the lives of other road users or pedestrians and it will be not be tolerated."

The campaign is now in its final week and officers will continue to target offenders across the entire force area.

The public continue to support Police with regards information about drink or drug drivers and officers would like to thank communities for their commitment to helping improve road safety.

Those who are caught drink driving not only risk losing their licence, but also their freedom, respect, job, family and now as a result of new legislation offenders could even lose their vehicles under the Vehicle Forfeiture Scheme.