Police Scotland launch festive drink and drug driving campaign
More than 600 people were caught drink or drug driving last Christmas
Police Scotland have launched their festive drink and drug driving campaign, aiming to highlight the dangers of driving after consuming alcohol and drugs.
Last year, more than 600 people were caught driving with alcohol or drugs in their system between December 1, 2021, and January 3, 2022.
That was a rise on the previous year, with a little more than 500 people being caught.
"At this time of year, we do put extra patrols on and we do have an increased focus", according to Head of Road Policing, Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock.
She continued: "That includes local policing, as well as road policing and it's really important we do that just to highlight the consequences, but hopefully act as a deterrent as well, if anyone is tempted."
A targeted approach
Despite catching more than 100 more drink or drug drivers in 2021 than the year previous, Police Scotland carried out around 1,000 less roadside tests.
Chief Superintendent Blakelock says this is due to increased help from the public.
"We are more targeted now and we're really grateful to the public because we get an increasing number of reports from family and friends who are concerned about a loved one getting behind the wheel of a vehicle.
"The consequences are very well known, so they know how to pick up the phone and report it.
"We rely on that information and people having the courage actually to report any behaviour that they know is risky."
Plan ahead
Police Scotland are also urging people to make travel arrangements in advance of any nights out, as well as making travel plans for the next day.
"The morning after absolutely still an issue", added Chief Superintendent Blakelock.
"If you really have to ask yourself if you're okay to drive the morning after, then please don't, don't risk it.
"Think about what you've had to drink the night before, plan ahead to get home from a night but actually plan how you're going to get to work the next morning, plan how you're going to visit friends and whatever you've got planned that day.
"It's really important and an equal message actually to the night itself."