Drink Driving - Don't Risk It
Motorists across North Ayrshire have been urged not to get behind the wheel after the Christmas party.
Local drivers could face a fine and a ban if caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol as part of a major police crackdown this festive season. Those caught drink driving for a second time also face having their vehicle seized.
Police across North Ayrshire will be on the look-out for drink and drug drivers as part of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) Festive Drink Drug Drive Campaign, which kicked off on December 13.
While the general consensus may be that drink/drug driving is considered socially unacceptable, the fact is that it is still happening. The latest figures show that approximately one in seven deaths on Scottish roads involved drivers who are over the legal limit.
In 2009, a new vehicle forfeiture scheme was launched which means that anyone caught drink driving for a second time could have their vehicle confiscated. And in the summer this year, the initiative was extended to include those caught drug driving.
One year on from the introduction of the vehicle forfeiture scheme, 357 second-time offenders have been caught and a total of 105 vehicles have been seized or forfeited – that's an average of two vehicles a week in Scotland.
Local residents and motorists are encouraged to report anyone they suspect of drink/drug driving. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously 24 hours-a-day on 0800 555 111.
For further information on the festive campaign, visit www.dontriskit.info