This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Festive drink-drive figures
06/01/2004
The increase in the number of people caught drink
driving over the festive period is extremely disappointing,
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said today.
He was commenting on the final results of the ACPOS
National Festive Road Safety campaign.
A total of 770 people were caught drink driving compared
with 750 for the same period last year. A total of 31
people were detected drug driving compared to 37 last
year.
Mr Henry said:
"This year's campaign focused on the consequences of
what can happen when someone is caught driving while under
the influence of drink or drugs. Despite this clear
message, it is clear that there are still some people who
continue to risk heavy penalties and put themselves and
others in danger.
"It is also disheartening to see that the number of
women caught drink driving has increased compared to last
year. Anyone caught faces massive insurance premiums, loss
of their licence and even a possible prison sentence.
"Even a small amount of alcohol affects driving ability.
Drivers also need to realise they may still be over the
limit the next day, particularly if they have been drinking
heavily or late that night.
"By 2010 we want to cut the number of fatal and serious
road accidents by 40 per cent and halve the number of fatal
and serious accidents involving children. Driving while
under the influence contributes to these figures and we
must continue to drive home the serious impact such actions
will have."
The Festive Safety Campaign organised by the Association
of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) ran from
December 8 to January 5 and focused on drink driving and
drug driving.
Radio and poster advertising, organised by the Scottish
Road Safety Campaign (SRSC), has highlighted the
'Crimestoppers' telephone number, which can be used by the
public to report road crime, such as drink driving,
speeding and drug driving to the police.
The telephone number is 0800 555 111.
The SRSC campaign, called Who's Watching You?, aims to
reduce the incidence of drink driving. Radio ads and
washroom posters placed in washrooms in bars, clubs and SPL
football grounds were used to get the message across. The
campaign aimed to make people aware that members of the
general public do report people who drink drive to the
police.
The Executive is committed to the Great Britain target
for a 40 per cent reduction in fatal and serious road
casualties and a 50 per cent reduction in child fatal and
serious casualties by 2010, compared with the average for
1994-98.