People who are drinking alcohol and are thinking about driving are more likely to be concerned about whether they will be caught, rather than if they cause a road accident

Assistant Chief Constable Ricky Gray

However, preliminary figures showed that Scotland's eight police forces recorded 6,461 offences between January and June - compared to 5,871 in the first six months of 2000.

Young men were the most likely to drive after drinking - and were also more likely to do so after drinking a larger amount of alcohol.

Research by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign suggested that 50% of those caught drink-driving in Scotland were men under the age of 40 - while 30% were aged between 17 and 25.

It found that one in five drivers admitted having driven when they thought they might be over the limit.

The Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (Acpos) voiced a fear that it could be dealing with a "lost generation" of drivers who have failed to heed the don't drink and drive message.

Lewis Macdonald issued a warning to drivers

Police said there were a number of reasons for the sudden rise in the figures.

The increased strength of alcoholic drinks and a change in the attitude of young drivers were cited as the main factors.

This year's festive campaign, which will mainly be targeted at men under the age of 40, has the slogan Don't Risk It.

The consequences of being found guilty of drink-driving will be spelt out in "wheel of misfortune" posters in almost 200 bars across Scotland.

Police will also step up patrols and use intelligence and technology to track down offenders.

Ricky Gray, Assistant Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police, said some drivers' attitudes "border on being inhumane".

Risk factor

He said: "The research indicates that people who are drinking alcohol and are thinking about driving are more likely to be concerned about whether they will be caught, rather than if they cause a road accident.

"I find that very disturbing. The whole risk factor is something that shouldn't even be entertained by motorists in Scotland.

"To even consider drinking and driving, and then have no concern for causing a road accident or death, is a reality that I find quite difficult to understand."

Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald described the growing number of young men ignoring the don't drink and drive message as "extremely worrying".

He added: "They persist in the belief that they will never be caught - but everyone should know that Scotland's police forces are stepping up their activity on our roads over the coming weeks."