A typical drink driver is a man, the study says

That was the outcome of a unique profiling exercise by Fife Police.

Drivers stopped for the offence were asked what was their motivation for breaking the law and what they thought were their chances of being caught.

Fife Police said it was the first force in Scotland to carry out a study on drink-drive offenders.

Assistant Chief Constable Derrick Scougal said the exercise was "revealing".

He said describing drink-driving as "socially unacceptable" could no longer be relied on as a major tactic in the fight against it.

Questionnaire filled in

He added: "During this initiative it displayed that people were confused by the types of alcohol and the quantities they could consume to stay safely under the limit.

"It was very disturbing that 71% of drivers were aware of anti-drink-drive publicity within the previous six months and 54% knew the current penalties it imposed.

"We can no longer rely on the offence to be classed as 'socially unacceptable'."

The exercise was conducted in 2003 through the voluntary completion of a questionnaire by drivers who had failed or refused a breath test or who when tested passed on amber which indicated the presence of alcohol in their breath.

The main findings included;

• 85% drivers were male

• almost half of all of those caught were aged between 17-30 years old

• the majority were in employment and had consumed alcohol in licensed premises

• the most popular journey was returning home

• 87% indicated they had not intended to drink and drive

• 13% admitted they intended to drink and drive from the outset

The results also showed that drivers thought their confidence levels in their driving ability increased after a drink.

The Scottish Executive's criminal justice statistical bulletin shows a national incremental growth in drink-driving offences prosecuted in Scottish courts since 1997.