Nearly twenty Highland drivers reported in drink drive crackdown
Eighteen drivers will be reported for offences relating to driving under the influence of drink or drugs in the Highlands and Islands during a recent safety campaign.
Detections were made across the region during the national summer initiative, which ran from Friday, June 29 until Friday, July 13.
During the weekend immediately after this - from Saturday, July 14 until early hours of Monday, July 16 - a further six drivers were stopped with reports to be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with alleged drink or drug driving.
Of the 18 detections during the period of the campaign, 15 were in relation to drink driving and three alleged drug driving.
A total of 281 negative breath tests were also recorded during the campaign period.
Road Policing Inspector Neil Lumsden said: "Every single drink driver is one too many.
"These recent weeks have shown that a significant number of people think they are above the law and can put others in danger by getting behind the wheel while unfit through drink or drugs.
"Of particular concern is that more than half of the male drink drivers detected during the campaign were under the age of 25-years-old.
"The dangers of drink driving are well publicised - you are not only putting your own life and future livelihood at risk but that of every other innocent road user.
"While this campaign is over, tackling drink driving is a priority for officers in the Highlands and Islands and we will continue to take robust action to remove offenders from the roads.
"I would like to express my thanks to members of the public who contacted us with information about suspected drink drivers during the campaign - five of these detections are a direct result of community intelligence.
"We know that the vast majority of people do not tolerate drink drivers and nor should they have to. You can pass on any information you have by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency, while you can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."