News

Source - BBC News 14/06/2011

In the first week of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) summer campaign, 119 people were caught drink-driving.

A further 16 drivers were found to be unfit to drive because of drugs.

In the same period last year, 100 motorists were caught for the same offences.

Reporting the figures, Acpos said those caught drink-driving included a 17-year-old boy stopped on the day he passed his driving test.

Another man was caught twice on one day.

In one of the most serious incidents, a driver was reported for driving while disqualified, drink-driving, failure to stop, driving without insurance and police assault.

According to Acpos, he tried to drive off when stopped by officers and dragged them along with his vehicle, only stopping when he crashed into a wall.

Assistant Chief Constable Tom Ewing, of Fife Police and Acpos, said: "I am disappointed by these figures, which show an increase in the number of offenders caught.

"We will continue to patrol the roads day and night, and if you get behind the wheel when you shouldn't, we will catch you."

At the launch of the summer campaign, Acpos said it would include targeted enforcement of locations where drink-driving was believed to be likely.

The penalty for repeat offenders now includes the possibility of the vehicle they were driving being sold or destroyed.

Alcohol Focus Scotland leaflet - Alcohol & Driving