Drink-drive once and you could lose car

Police are determined to put more pressure on the “staggering” numbers who continue to put lives at risk by driving under the influence of drink or drugs.

Last year, 7,563 people were caught in Scotland – the equivalent of more than 20 a day.

Police, prosecutors and the Scottish Government have now extended the Vehicle Forfeiture Scheme to include first-time offenders.

Previously, only repeat offenders and drug-drivers could see their cars seized and either sold or destroyed.

The drink-drive limit is 80mg per 100ml of blood, so three times over the limit would be anything above 240mg. For an average man, that could be six pints of low-strength lager or beer, six small glasses of wine, or six double vodkas or whiskies.

However, stronger drinks or larger measures, not having eaten and different body types, can all vary how quickly a person’s blood-alcohol level rises.

And that of women typically rises faster than men. A woman could be three times the limit after drinking four small glasses of wine.

Police have also urged people to be careful about driving the morning after the night before.

A healthy liver will get rid of one unit of alcohol – 20mg – per hour. So four hours’ sleep after a night out would reduce a man’s blood-alcohol level by, on average, the equivalent of two pints.

Chief Constable Justine Curran, vice-president of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), said: “It is staggering that so many people are willing to risk their lives and the lives of others.

“From today, over the festive campaign, we will be increasing our road patrols, targeting those who continue to drive under the influence of drink or drugs.

“If we discover through our inquiries that an offender is three times the legal limit, or more, we will request that the court gives consideration to seizing and forfeiting the offender’s vehicle.”

She said the crackdown on repeat offenders and drug-drivers had been a “resounding success”.

“A total of 702 repeat offenders have been caught, with 155 vehicles forfeited and a further 18 vehicles seized pending a decision by the court,” she said.

“The monetary value of a car may be of little consequence, but the loss to the driver in terms of going about their daily business will be extremely high.”

Police and Scottish Government ministers believe the only way to be safe on the roads is not to drink and drive at all.

Kenny MacAskill, justice secretary, said: “It’s a sad fact that we are still having to address this problem over 40 years after the law was introduced.

“Thirty deaths caused by drink- or drug-driving each year is 30 too many, and it will be tolerated no longer.

“We will continue to lobby the UK government for powers to reduce the drink-drive limit and work towards eradicating this problem once and for all.”

Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, QC, added: “Once again the festive season is upon us with parties and celebrations being commonplace.

“We would encourage all involved to enjoy themselves, but also to act responsibly and not spoil their celebrations, or those of others, by driving under the influence.”