Scots drink-drive figures rise 30 | 12 | 2010
MORE DRIVERS in Scotland have been caught drink-driving over this Festive period compared to last year. Figures released by the police show the numbers of convictions are up by almost a quarter over the same period in 2009. The number of people taking drugs and then getting behind the wheel has also risen sharply.
During the third week of the crackdown by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), 110 Scottish motorists were caught driving while over the legal alcohol limit. That's a 22% increase on the 90 stopped during the same period last year.
In addition, 10 people — twice the figure for 2009 — were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs. Police have asked the courts to consider seizing the vehicles of four people under a forfeiture scheme brought in last year to tackle repeat offending.
"The biggest deterrent is fear of being caught," Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the institute of Advanced Motorists, who believes part of the problem was "Scotland's driving culture" where drink and drug drivers did not expect to be stopped by police, said.
"In countries like Sweden and Norway people expect to get stopped and caught. Here it is rare to get stopped and drivers think that if they keep to quiet back roads they'll be safe.
"A three-week campaign is one thing, but what we need is more investment in high-profile policing to prevent this sort of behaviour in the first place. It's always disappointing when figures go up when we would hope that driving while under the influence is socially unacceptable.
"While it can be difficult to compare figures without a detailed analysis, it is particularly worrying that even with an enforcement campaign the figures have gone up despite the bad weather."
And as we head into Hogmanay and the New Year weekend, police have repeated their message urging motorists not to drive if unfit to get behind the wheel.
"As we come to the end of week three of this campaign, I am horrified that our figures are rising compared to the same period last year," Chief Superintendent Brian Anderson of Acpos, said.
"Over a holiday period where there are more people on the road innocently visiting friends and relatives, it is hard to understand why people would put their lives at risk by getting behind the wheel while unfit to do so.
"As we enter the final week of this campaign, I would remind all motorists that police forces across Scotland will continue to target drink and drug drivers on a daily basis and if appropriate request that their vehicle be seized.
"The message must get out to this minority of drivers who continue to risk their lives and the lives of other road users. Don't risk it. Don't drive while under the influence of alcohol and drugs."
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Jim McGill