Is drinking and driving worth risking everything you have?

NORTHERN Constabulary has launched its annual Festive Road Safety Campaign and the Force wants people to think about how much they could lose by drinking and driving.

The Force will embark on a four week campaign of enforcement in conjunction with Scotland’s other seven Forces.   The Outer Hebrides Community Safety Partnership has funded Northern Constabulary so that extra police officers will be on duty to cover the Western Isles over the festive period.

The number of drivers continuing to flout the drink drive laws across the Highlands and Islands remains at an unacceptable level and Northern Constabulary is urging people think about the serious consequences of their actions.

The Force will be carrying out intelligence-led patrols and will be 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.

The four week campaign in 2006/07 saw 75 drivers test positive for drink driving across the Northern Constabulary Force area, an increase of 14 on the previous year.

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

“The Festive Road Safety Campaign ties in with one of the Force’s key strategic outcomes in making roads within Northern Constabulary Force area safer, with reduced deaths, injury and crime.

“We would urge the public to take serious note of the warnings and think about just how much they could lose if they decide to drink and drive.

“Your job, your career and even your family could be at risk if you are caught drink driving. Drink driving could also be a contributory factor in a fatal road collision and as a result you could have someone’s death on your conscience for life too.

“The message is as clear as ever, Don’t Risk It. If you know you are going to be driving then you should not consume any alcohol to avoid doubt.”

Drug driving is another issue, which the Force has noticed an increase in over the past few years and it is an offence, which can have the same consequences as drink driving.

Inspector Smith added: “Drug driving is also of major concern to us and we would urge anyone who feels someone may be under the influence of drugs to report it to Police immediately.

“We have had instances in the past when friends or family members have reported people close to them after suspecting they may be driving under the influence of a particular substance.

“Drink and drug drivers are well aware of the risks they are taking and at the end of the day people who drink or take drugs prior to driving are putting themselves and other road users in grave danger.”

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.

Area Procurator Fiscal Andrew Laing is backing the Festive Road Safety Campaign and has promised that those who drive under the influence of drink or drugs will face the consequences in court.

He said: “Nobody wishes to prevent people from having a great time over the festive season. However, it is in everyone’s interest to make sure they make adequate provision for transport over this time and not be tempted to drive whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

“Every year Police and health services require to deal with the aftermath of such errors of judgement which are often so costly. “Such drivers can also expect to be held in custody over Christmas or New Year. The message must be drive responsibly and stay safe.”

Meanwhile ACPOS (Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland) is fully supportive of a change in legislation that would lower the limit for motorists’ blood alcohol count from 80mg/100ml to 50mg/100ml.

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.

Figures will be provided by Media Services throughout the campaign on a weekly basis, the first set of which will be available on Friday 14 December 2007 with an embargo until Monday 17 December 2007.