Drink drivers will be banned for a year
Published 20 Dec 2011 09:30
POLICE are launching a tough Christmas crackdown on drink drivers across Barrhead and Neilston.
Anyone caught drink driving will automatically lose their licence, be banned from driving for 12 months and get a criminal record.
The stark warning was issued last week by police who are reminding people of the stiff penalties for those who have a drink before getting behind the wheel.
And now the vehicle forfeiture scheme - under which those caught drink or drug driving can have their car taken away - is being broadened to include first offenders well over the limit and drivers who refuse to provide a breath or blood sample without a reasonable excuse.
Chief Inspector Stewart Carle, of Strathclyde Police, said: "This is the year when Scotland gets even tougher on those who choose to drive when they are unfit through drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
"It is dangerous and socially unacceptable to flout the law by driving over the limit and we will do everything in our power to track down those who do it and bring them to justice.
"This year's festive drink and drug driving campaign will see the introduction of tough new measures for drivers who give a reading of three times the limit or more or who refuse to engage in the lawful process by giving a sample for analysis.
"As well as a substantial fine and a driving ban of at least one year, those drivers may have their car taken away - for good.
"There is no doubt that drivers getting behind the wheel when they have had too much alcohol is a major causation factor in road crashes which claim lives, cause injury and bring misery to thousands of people across Scotland every year."
A total of 33,209 motoring offences were reported in Strathclyde in 2010/11 and of that, 3164 were drink-drive offences.
In addition over the past two years 341 vehicles have been seized, of which 53 were subsequently forfeited.
Chief Inspector Carle added: "We have to get the message across to people that they will be detected and brought before the courts if they take the risk by drink driving. As well as a fine and the chance of losing their licence such irresponsible drivers will have a criminal record and an offence which stays firmly on their licence for 11 years.
"The statistics are stark - 7563 people were caught drink or drug driving in 2010, which is an average of around 20 offenders every day. I would also ask people to consider one other set of figures before breaking the law.
"Just over one in seven deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit. This means that such fatalities cost the Scottish economy an estimated £55 million a year. The cost to families of the loss of a parent, a sibling or a child cannot be calculated."
If you suspect someone of drink or drug driving, contact Barrhead Police Office on 0141 532 6200, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or dial 999 in an emergency.
Find out more on www.dontriskit.info.
This article appeared in Barrhead News 15 Dec 11
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