Drink driving disregard causes concern for Northern Constabulary

 A SUTHERLAND driver was caught drink driving twice in the space of two days underlining Northern Constabulary’s promise to crackdown on offenders.

17 December 2007

Police caught the 58-year-old man on two separate occasions. On the first occasion he was found to be more than twice the legal limit and on the second over four times.

Northern Constabulary launched its annual Festive Road Safety Campaign on Friday 7 December and asked people to think about how much they could lose by drinking and driving.

The Force are carrying out intelligence-led patrols and are out in numbers across the Festive period to detect drink drivers, as well as those taking part in the equally dangerous practice of drug driving.

A recent Scottish Government statistic has revealed that you are more likely to be caught drink driving in the Highlands and Islands than anywhere else in Scotland. Per 10,000 of the population (in 2006/07) 32 people were detected drink driving in Highlands and Islands compared to the national average of 23.

Northern Constabulary is urging people to drive responsibly and not put themselves and other road users at risk by getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

Inspector John Smith of Northern Constabulary’s Road Policing Section said:

“The incident involving the 58-year-old man in Sutherland, caught on two consecutive nights, shows a total disregard for his own and the safety of other road users.

“Northern Constabulary will continue to be intelligence led and will actively pursue known drink and drug drivers throughout and beyond the Festive Road Safety Campaign.”

He added: “Extra high profile patrols will continue throughout the Festive period and there is an increased risk of being caught for drink or drug driving in Northern Constabulary Force area.”

Police will carry out breath tests on ANYONE who is stopped for a moving traffic offence and patrols will be increased throughout the four-week campaign across each Area Command.

Within Northern Constabulary Force area if you are caught drink or drug driving on a Friday you may even find yourself being locked up for the weekend.

Any driver involved in a collision, even if caused by another driver, will be breath tested. Legislation also empowers Police to require suspected drug drivers to undertake a roadside impairment test and refusal to do so results in an offence being committed.

Any member of the public who suspects someone has or is about to take drink or drugs before driving is urged to contact their nearest Police station or contact Crimestoppers 24-7 anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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