Drink-driving falls but police remain 'disgusted' by those caught

Published on 04/01/2006 11:35

POLICE chiefs today revealed a slump in the number of motorists caught drink or drug driving in Lothian and Borders over the festive season.

More than 100 people have been charged with offences since the annual campaign began early last month - nearly 15 per cent down on last year.

Despite the fall, however, the Lothian and Borders Force said they were "disgusted" with the actions of those who had been caught, some of whom were already banned from driving.

Overall 111 motorists were charged between December 5 and January 2, down from 130 over the previous festive period.

During the last week of the campaign, including the Hogmanay bank holiday weekend, 33 motorists were caught, compared to 48 during the equivalent period 12 months previously.

Among the incidents recorded by the force were an accident at a retail park in Livingston, West Lothian, on December 30 when a driver who had collided with a parked vehicle was found to be more than four times over the drink-drive limit.

On Hogmanay witnesses saw a Ford car collide with a parked vehicle in Sycamore Road, Edinburgh, but then make off. The 29-year-old female driver was tracked down and arrested after providing a positive breath test.

In another incident a woman spotted driving a car along Ferry Road on New Year's Day with a flat tyre was found to be more than three times over the limit and already banned.

Chief inspector Kenny Buchanan said:

"Since Christmas we have stopped a number of drivers, some already disqualified by the courts for previous driving offences, over the limit, or unfit to drive through drink or drugs. I'm disgusted that people get in a car after drinking, making that vehicle a potentially lethal weapon."

Five motorists caught this year were found to be under the influence of drugs.