 Motorists will be banned for drink driving, the police have warned |
One of Scotland's largest police forces has launched its festive drink drive campaign by warning motorists that "no one is beyond the reach of the law". Recent findings have shown that many drivers feel they will not be caught drink driving.
But Lothian and Borders Police said its research revealed that, in a four-month period, 420 drivers were arrested resulting in 654 years of driving bans.
All eight Scottish forces are beginning their festive drink drive crackdowns.
Despite a Scottish Executive survey which revealed many motorists believed they could avoid being caught drink driving, the Lothian and Borders force said the facts showed something different.
Since August, officers have been monitoring those caught drinking and driving and the outcome of their court cases .
A total of 105 motorists were arrested every month and 482 high profile road checks were carried out equivalent to four every day. Charles Michie, Assistant Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police, said the research revealed that drink drivers would be caught.
He said: "The executive findings were worrying as they showed that many motorists felt they would not be caught if they drove under the influence of alcohol.
"However, detailed research by Lothian and Borders Police has robustly demonstrated that this is not the case.
"Police officers are out arresting drink drivers round the clock, every day of the year. No one is exempt from the police catching them and putting them to court."
At the launch of Strathclyde Police's campaign, Chief Inspector Pat Docherty had a strong warning for those considering drinking and driving.
 Police stress that the penalties can be severe |
He said: "My advice to any motorist who is prepared to drive after taking drink or drugs is don't risk it as the consequences can be far reaching. "Conviction means an automatic ban, so I would urge drivers to consider the effect losing their licence would have on their work and social life.
"This applies equally to 'morning after' drivers, who may think a few hours' sleep negates the effect of drink or drugs."
Both officers stressed drivers under the influence put lives at risk and the ultimate sentence could be having to live with causing a death.
Completely anonymous
Mr Michie said public had an important part to play in this year's campaign by contacting the police if they were aware of drink drivers
He added that the public could also use the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111 with calls completely anonymous and free.
The campaign will be promoted through radio adverts, on buses, posters and beer mats.
One recent drink drive case involved a woman driver travelling on the A68 in Midlothian without her lights on.
When she stopped in a dangerous position on the carriageway, members of the public went over to the car to discover the woman driver to be drunk.
They took the car keys from her and contacted police. She was later found to be three-and-a-half times over the limit.
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My advice to any motorist who is prepared to drive after taking drink or drugs is don't risk it as the consequences can be far reaching
