Nwicker60
19-Dec-11, 18:20
Police praise public for support in detecting offending drivers
Four of the nine caught drink driving during week two of the Force's ACPOS Festive Safety Campaign were reported by members of the public.
Two drug driving offences were also detected by police during the second week, compared to none last year. During the same period last year there were eight drink drivers caught.
The figures clearly demonstrate the public's anger at those who drink and drive. The fact is our communities are more than happy to support Police by turning in those they suspect to be drink or drug driving.
Three of those detected over the weekend are expected to appear in court in due course in connection with alleged drink driving offences and alleged theft of motor vehicles.
As part of the months long campaign police will carry out static daily road checks morning, noon and night to crack down on drink and drug drivers.
This is just one of a number of measures being promised by Northern Constabulary for the four week campaign which began on Monday 5 December 2011.
Scotland's other police forces are also taking part of this nationally co-ordinated campaign.
Officers from the Force's Road Policing Unit are joining local officers in proactively targeting those who continue to ignore the warnings about drink and driving.
Those who are caught also risk being locked up and kept in police cells until they appear in court.
This year's festive drink and drug driving campaign also sees the introduction of tough new measures targeting first time offenders who provide a sample for analysis, which is three times the legal limit or more and also those offenders who refuse to provide a sample for analysis without a reasonable excuse.
As well as receiving a criminal record, a substantial fine and an automatic minimum 12 month ban, these drivers may now have their vehicle seized and on conviction, have it taken away for sale or destruction.
Head of the Force's Road Policing Unit, Inspector Derek Paterson, said, "We have been carrying out the checks we promised for a fortnight now and already we have detected 15 drink drivers and two drug driving offences. We intimated previously that your chances of being caught are higher than ever and we are now seeing the truth in that. Despite the fact we are clearly disappointed that we have caught so many people we are thankful for the continued support from the public, who through their actions are underlining their concern in relation to those who drink and drive."
He added: "The figures show that approximately 1 in 7 deaths in Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit. The risk of being involved in a collision increases rapidly when alcohol and/or drugs are involved. I would urge the public to continue to report those who drive under the influence of drink or drugs irrespective or whether they are family, friends or work colleagues."
Four of the nine caught drink driving during week two of the Force's ACPOS Festive Safety Campaign were reported by members of the public.
Two drug driving offences were also detected by police during the second week, compared to none last year. During the same period last year there were eight drink drivers caught.
The figures clearly demonstrate the public's anger at those who drink and drive. The fact is our communities are more than happy to support Police by turning in those they suspect to be drink or drug driving.
Three of those detected over the weekend are expected to appear in court in due course in connection with alleged drink driving offences and alleged theft of motor vehicles.
As part of the months long campaign police will carry out static daily road checks morning, noon and night to crack down on drink and drug drivers.
This is just one of a number of measures being promised by Northern Constabulary for the four week campaign which began on Monday 5 December 2011.
Scotland's other police forces are also taking part of this nationally co-ordinated campaign.
Officers from the Force's Road Policing Unit are joining local officers in proactively targeting those who continue to ignore the warnings about drink and driving.
Those who are caught also risk being locked up and kept in police cells until they appear in court.
This year's festive drink and drug driving campaign also sees the introduction of tough new measures targeting first time offenders who provide a sample for analysis, which is three times the legal limit or more and also those offenders who refuse to provide a sample for analysis without a reasonable excuse.
As well as receiving a criminal record, a substantial fine and an automatic minimum 12 month ban, these drivers may now have their vehicle seized and on conviction, have it taken away for sale or destruction.
Head of the Force's Road Policing Unit, Inspector Derek Paterson, said, "We have been carrying out the checks we promised for a fortnight now and already we have detected 15 drink drivers and two drug driving offences. We intimated previously that your chances of being caught are higher than ever and we are now seeing the truth in that. Despite the fact we are clearly disappointed that we have caught so many people we are thankful for the continued support from the public, who through their actions are underlining their concern in relation to those who drink and drive."
He added: "The figures show that approximately 1 in 7 deaths in Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit. The risk of being involved in a collision increases rapidly when alcohol and/or drugs are involved. I would urge the public to continue to report those who drive under the influence of drink or drugs irrespective or whether they are family, friends or work colleagues."