‘Don’t spoil summer’ – drink-driving campaign gets under way

A national campaign to crack down on drink-driving has been launched today as part of Police Scotland’s summer safety campaign.

Using the strapline “Don’t spoil summer”, the campaign reminds drivers that getting behind the wheel after even one drink isn’t worth the risk or the consequences.

New data released today shows that Scotland has seen a 17 per cent reduction in drink driving offences from January – March 2015, compared to the same period in 2014. This follows the introduction of Scotland’s new lower drink drive limit on December 5, 2014, which means that even just one drink could put a driver over the limit.

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Our message is simple – don’t spoil summer for you and your family or another family by drinking and driving. Police Scotland stop more than 20,000 Scottish drivers a month. That’s one vehicle every two minutes. If you have committed an offence, or if we have reasonable cause to suspect that you have been drinking, you may be subjected to a breath test.

“Even if you’re just over the limit, you’re still a drunk driver in the eyes of the law – there is no grey area. This may affect your current and future employment and can have wider implications for other areas of your life including overseas travel, even just for family holidays. If you drink and drive, you won’t just spoil summer.”

If you suspect someone of drink driving, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or the police station by dialling 101.