This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Summer drink drive campaign
12/06/2006
A summer drink-drive campaign aimed particularly at young men was launched today.
The Road Safety Scotland campaign will use television adverts, as well as posters with a football theme and credit card-sized World Cup fixture lists, to hammer home the message that drink driving can have a whole range of consequences - which start, but won't end with being arrested.
The campaign is being followed by a period of enforcement activity by police forces across the country.
Figures from the Department for Transport estimate that around 50 people die and a further 240 people are seriously injured each year on Scotland's roads as a result of drink-driving.
The new campaign, to be screened for three weeks from today, and again in November ahead of the festive season, will aim to reduce that by targeting young males who research shows are most likely to drink and drive.
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said:
"As we all look forward to the long summer evenings with a drink in the garden or down the pub watching the football we need to remember that even a small amount of alcohol can impair driving ability.
"This campaign is designed to raise awareness of the consequences of drink driving among those most likely to ignore those warnings - young males. Based on research from the 2003-04 festive campaign, we know that they do not appear to respond to images of road crashes, gore and loss of life. What is more likely to change their behaviour are the more personal consequences.
"That's why this campaign offers one clear message - the consequences of drink driving just start with being arrested. Drink driving will result in the loss of your licence, and could cost you your job and your normal home and social life.
"However, it only takes a little forethought to avoid those outcomes. If you are having a night out, leave the car at home or arrange for a non-drinker to drive. And remember, you may still be over the limit the following day. Don't risk everything for the sake of a drink."
Chief Constable John Vine, Chairman of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland Road Policing Business Area, said:
"Young people, and particularly young men, have to realise that alcohol can impair their driving ability even though they think they are perfectly capable of driving. "Too many people are being killed or seriously injured on Scottish roads due to the 'I'm okay, I'm not that drunk!' attitude of young drink drivers. "My message to them is don't risk it! You will get arrested! You could end up in jail, in hospital or in the morgue. And you will end up in court and may end up in prison.
"Enjoy the World Cup but don't drive after the match even after one drink. Don't risk it!"
Drink-driving legislation is a reserved matter, but road safety publicity and advertising is undertaken on behalf of the Executive by Road Safety Scotland, part of the Transport Group within the Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department.