Festive drink and drug driving campaign

Law enforcement agencies across Scotland are to get tougher with drink drivers this festive season and offenders face losing their cars as well as losing their licences.

The campaign was launched today at the Scottish Parliament by Kevin Smith, Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police and Chair of the ACPOS Road Policing Business Area, Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, and the Lord Advocate, the Right Honourable Elish Angiolini QC.

This year the campaign aims to highlight the risks and consequences of drink-driving, and the message that Scotland has just got tougher on drink-driving. Drivers caught drink-driving over this year’s festive campaign will face tougher consequences. New enforcement in Scotland means drivers caught drink-driving for a second time can have their vehicle taken away for good. Authorities have the power to seize and enforce forfeiture of the driver’s vehicle under the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.

Kevin Smith Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police and Chair of the ACPOS Road Policing Business Area said: “Throughout the year, police officers across Scotland arrest thousands of drink drivers. Despite our warnings that we will target such individuals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, they still risk wrecking not only the lives of others but also their own and those of their families, due to the severe consequences of being caught. This year there will be an added risk in that motorists caught drink-driving now risk losing their car as well.

“Anything that can result in fewer drivers risking drink-driving must be considered. Research shows that around one in nine deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit.”

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from Stornoway and the Western Isles