Nwicker60
13-Jun-11, 16:36
Worrying statistics on drink and drug driving
DRINK DRIVERS still risking their lives and others, it has emerged in the first week of ACPOS summer safety campaign.
Police say that there are still too many people taking a massive gamble with their own safety and the safety of others by drinking and driving.
Today (13 June 2011) saw the conclusion of week 1 of the ACPOS (Association of Chief Police Officers) Safer Summer campaign which aims to highlight the risks associated with drink/drug driving.
Fourteen drink drivers were detected during the first week of the two week education and enforcement campaign, compared to eight during the same period last year. The campaign began on Monday, 6 June, 2011 and runs until Monday 20 June 2011.
Of these fourteen drivers, thirteen were male and one was female. Eight of these drivers were reported by the public. Four men were also detected for impairment through drugs. There were three road traffic collisions where two drivers tested positively for drink driving and one for drugs impairment. Six people were kept in custody.
One vehicle was requested for forfeiture as a result of drink driving.
If people choose to drink and drive, travelling to or from the many events across the Force area this summer, it could lead to a court conviction which will stay on their licence for 11 years and a criminal record that can remain for 20 years, loss of their licence with an automatic 12 months ban and a fine of up to £5000.
The initiative, targeting repeat drink drivers, the Vehicle Forfeiture Scheme, is ongoing and members of the public are reminded should they get caught drink or drug driving for a second time then the court may seize their vehicle and it will either be sold or destroyed.
Police would also like to thank the public for their continued support throughout the year by reporting suspected drink drivers. The Force would urge people to continue to contact them, regardless of whether or not they know or are related to the suspect.
The campaign is designed to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads of the Highlands and Islands at a time of year when there are higher levels of traffic than normal.
There will be an increased presence throughout the Force and those found committing any of the above offences will be dealt with robustly.
Officers will be on patrol at all times as motorists are reminded that driving the morning after drinking can still result in your arrest as you may still be over the legal limit. And the enforcement activity will continue throughout the year to assist in keeping our roads safer.
The Force's Road Safety Officer, Laura Fisher, said: "Worryingly, there are still too many people willing to put their own safety and the safety of other road users and pedestrians at risk. Our action against drink or drug drivers will continue, even beyond this campaign and we would also encourage people to continue to call us with information about people they suspect may be drink driving."
Anyone with information about potential drink or drug drivers is urged to contact their nearest Police station or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
DRINK DRIVERS still risking their lives and others, it has emerged in the first week of ACPOS summer safety campaign.
Police say that there are still too many people taking a massive gamble with their own safety and the safety of others by drinking and driving.
Today (13 June 2011) saw the conclusion of week 1 of the ACPOS (Association of Chief Police Officers) Safer Summer campaign which aims to highlight the risks associated with drink/drug driving.
Fourteen drink drivers were detected during the first week of the two week education and enforcement campaign, compared to eight during the same period last year. The campaign began on Monday, 6 June, 2011 and runs until Monday 20 June 2011.
Of these fourteen drivers, thirteen were male and one was female. Eight of these drivers were reported by the public. Four men were also detected for impairment through drugs. There were three road traffic collisions where two drivers tested positively for drink driving and one for drugs impairment. Six people were kept in custody.
One vehicle was requested for forfeiture as a result of drink driving.
If people choose to drink and drive, travelling to or from the many events across the Force area this summer, it could lead to a court conviction which will stay on their licence for 11 years and a criminal record that can remain for 20 years, loss of their licence with an automatic 12 months ban and a fine of up to £5000.
The initiative, targeting repeat drink drivers, the Vehicle Forfeiture Scheme, is ongoing and members of the public are reminded should they get caught drink or drug driving for a second time then the court may seize their vehicle and it will either be sold or destroyed.
Police would also like to thank the public for their continued support throughout the year by reporting suspected drink drivers. The Force would urge people to continue to contact them, regardless of whether or not they know or are related to the suspect.
The campaign is designed to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the roads of the Highlands and Islands at a time of year when there are higher levels of traffic than normal.
There will be an increased presence throughout the Force and those found committing any of the above offences will be dealt with robustly.
Officers will be on patrol at all times as motorists are reminded that driving the morning after drinking can still result in your arrest as you may still be over the legal limit. And the enforcement activity will continue throughout the year to assist in keeping our roads safer.
The Force's Road Safety Officer, Laura Fisher, said: "Worryingly, there are still too many people willing to put their own safety and the safety of other road users and pedestrians at risk. Our action against drink or drug drivers will continue, even beyond this campaign and we would also encourage people to continue to call us with information about people they suspect may be drink driving."
Anyone with information about potential drink or drug drivers is urged to contact their nearest Police station or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.