Offenders targeted as part of drink and drug drive campaign
Over 290 offences were detected by Police Scotland as drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs continue to be targeted.
This year’s Summer Drink and Drug Drive campaign ran from Monday 4 July to Sunday 17 July.
During the two week long intelligence led campaign, 585 roadside breath screening tests were carried out plus 152 roadside drug screening tests. As a result, officers detected 295 drink/drug driving offences during the campaign.
Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, head of road policing, said: “Police Scotland continue to target those who put themselves and others at risk by driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs.
“There simply is no excuse for drink or drug driving. A number of drivers were reported to us by friends and family and I would encourage anyone with information about a driver who engages in this risky behaviour to contact police and help make our roads safer this summer.”
Examples from the campaign include:
• A driver was stopped for speeding at 116mph on the M8 near Livingston, subsequently failed a breath test and in possession of cannabis
• In Edinburgh, road policing officers stopped a car on the A89. The driver had no licence or insurance and failed a breath test
• Officers in Aberdeenshire and Glasgow carried out roadside checks. A 50-year-old man was arrested in Ellon following a positive roadside breath test. A driver in Hillington was arrested for failing the drug wipe test and driving uninsured
• Forth Valley road policing officers were alerted to a drink driver leaving Stirling on the M90. They were traced driving through Airdrie and a 26-year-old man was arrested and charged for failing a breath test
While the latest campaign pushes awareness of the issue, police officers carry out enforcement on Scotland’s roads every day and work with key partners to support improvements around road safety.
Drink and drug driving are known contributory factors in serious injury and fatal collisions.
Remember you can still be over the drink drive limit the morning after consuming alcohol and drugs may remain in your system for longer and be detected by our roadside drug wipe tests.
Police Scotland is committed to achieving the casualty reduction targets under the Scottish Government’s Road Safety Framework to 2030. A key aspect of this is tackling the risks associated with drink and drug driving.
