News

Source - STV News 13/12/11

More than 120 motorists have been caught driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs during the first week of a police campaign, it has emerged.

Police said that 121 people across Scotland were stopped for drink driving last week, despite the harsh weather conditions making road travel difficult.

A further six people were caught driving while under the influence of drugs.

This compares with 93 drink drivers and four drug drivers caught over a similar period in 2010.

Police said that consideration is being given to seizing 29 people's vehicles under the vehicle forfeiture scheme.

Chief Superintendent Kate Thomson urged people to contact police if they suspect that someone is driving under the influence.

She said: "As most of Scotland was gripped by severe weather which made driving conditions hazardous for everyone, it is astonishing that anyone would consider driving whilst impaired by alcohol or drugs.

"The message needs to get out to those offenders who chose to take the risk and drink and drive that it is illegal, dangerous and, at times, a fatal decision."

One 41-year-old man was stopped by police while driving a courtesy bus from Glasgow Airport into the city centre on December 5. He provided a breath sample allegedly more than twice the legal limit.

That same day officers came across a "non-injury collision" on the A198 North Berwick to Whitekirk road, where a driver told them he had drunk two bottles of vodka. He was arrested and provided a breath sample allegedly four times the legal limit. A request has been made to seize his vehicle.

In Aberdeen, officers caught a 28-year-old woman driving to work while allegedly more than four-and-a-half times the legal limit. They stopped her at 7.30pm on December 9 when they noticed the vehicle "travelling erratically and at slow speed".

All eight police forces are taking part in the four-week campaign which began on December 5.

Previously, repeat offenders were at risk of losing their car under the vehicle forfeiture scheme. However, under new measures, first-time drink-drivers whose breath sample is at least three times the legal limit, as well as those who refuse a breath test, can have their vehicles taken away for good if they are convicted.

The punishment would be in addition to receiving a criminal record, a fine and a 12-month driving ban.