The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland have launched their annual festive anti-drink drive awareness campaign, and are reminding drivers that ‘the best approach is none’.
Last year – 12 months after the lower drink drive limit was introduced – one in 35 drivers stopped during the festive season were over the legal limit, compared with one in 50 motorists drink driving over the same period in the previous year.
More than 20,000 drivers are stopped by police every month. This awareness campaign supports Police Scotland’s enforcement campaign, which will see even more patrols on Scotland’s roads from Friday 2nd December.
“We led the way in the UK by reducing the legal alcohol limit and this is already having an effect on changing attitudes in a way that keeps people safe,” explained Justice Secretary Michael Matheson. “More people now know that even one drink before driving is one too many.”
“Unfortunately there is a persistent minority of drivers who continue to ignore the law,” he said. “These people are not only risking their own lives, but are risking the safety of other road users and pedestrians by drinking and driving.”
“This campaign reinforces that drink driving is unacceptable and, if you get caught, you will get a minimum 12 month driving ban, a criminal record, points on your licence and a substantial fine,” he added. “I welcome the action being taken by Police Scotland to tackle reckless road users who break the law.”
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