Drug drivers were biggest festive offenders

POLICE in Dumfries and Galloway recorded 48 offences during their latest festive drink and drug driving campaign. And 25 of them were individuals driving while under the influence of drugs. More than 3500 drink and drug driving tests were carried out by officers across Scotland during the festive enforcement campaign, between December 1 and January 4. Road policing and local policing carried out checks in towns and cities in a bid to deter and detect drivers who had taken alcohol or drugs. In Dumfries and Galloway 25 drug driving offences were detected; 15 people were found to be driving over the prescribed alcohol limit; four people failed to provide a breath specimen at the roadside; two were driving while unfit through drink or drugs; one was in charge of a vehicle while their blood alcohol content was above the limit; and another failed to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine at the police station. Chief superintendent Scott McCarren, head of road policing, said: “Police Scotland will continue to target drink and drug drivers. “Alcohol and drugs make a collision more likely and the impact destroys lives. “These results bring a focus to work we do all year round. You could still be over the limit the morning after drinking or taking drugs. “If caught, you could face a 12-month driving ban, up to £5000 fine and up to six months in prison.”