Drivers fail to heed drink and drug message as campaign arrests increase

The dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs are not getting through to motorists, police chiefs have said.

The warning comes as a campaign co-ordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpos) comes to an end.

Some 238 people were reported for drink-driving over the two-week period in June - an increase of 26 on last summer's campaign.

It also showed that 21 drivers were found to be "unfit through drugs", which is more than three times last year's figure of five.

Acpos said eight repeat offenders had been detected and consideration is now being given by the courts to seize their vehicles.

The campaign was launched by all eight of Scotland's police forces on 6 June in an attempt to crack down on drink and drug drivers. In its first week, 116 people were caught drink-driving, and 122 the following week.

Assistant chief constable Tom Ewing, of Fife Constabulary, who is the Acpos road policing business area secretary, said: "A report published today shows that our joint approach to tackling the number of people killed or injured on our roads is having a positive effect, with the overall number of casualties on Scotland's roads down.

"I am, therefore, extremely disappointed that the number of offenders caught during this year's campaign has increased compared to last year.

"Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs is completely unacceptable."