THE festive season is here and with it come celebrations and the temptation to drive home after what might seem just a few innocent drinks.
One in seven deaths on Scotland's roads is caused by drivers over the alcohol limit. Motorists are encouraged to think about the consequences of drink or drug-driving before getting behind the wheel.
No matter how little you are over the limit, if you are caught drink-driving, you will lose your licence, be banned from driving for 12 months and get a criminal record. You also run the risk of losing your car under the vehicle forfeiture scheme which means that those caught drink or drug driving for a second time could have their car taken away and sold or crushed.
In a bid to make Scotland's roads safer, the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland are supporting the Association of Chief Police Officers' (ACPOS) 2011 festive drink drug drive campaign which includes an extension of the forfeiture scheme.
This year's forfeiture initiative is being broadened to include first-time offenders who are found to be well over the drink-drive limit and those who refuse to provide a breath test or blood or urine sample without a reasonable excuse. These offenders can now have their vehicle forfeited - lose their car for good.
Inspector Derek Paterson, head of road policing at Northern Constabulary, said: "It is dangerous and socially unacceptable to flout the law by driving over the limit and we will do everything in our power to track down those who do it and bring them to justice.
"This year's festive drink and drug-driving campaign will see the introduction of tough new measures for drivers who give a reading of three times the limit or more or who refuse to engage in the lawful process by giving a sample for analysis. As well as a substantial fine and a driving ban of at least one year, those drivers may have their car taken away - for good.
"There is no doubt that drivers getting behind the wheel when they have had too much alcohol is a major factor in road crashes which claim lives, cause injury and bring misery to thousands of people across Scotland.
"We have to get the message across to people that they will be detected and brought before the courts if they take the risk by drink-driving. As well as a fine and losing their licence, such irresponsible drivers will have a criminal record and an offence which stays on their licence for 11 years."
The statistics are stark - 7,563 people were caught drink or drug-driving in 2010 which is an average of around 20 offenders every day. On Northern roads during 2010/2011, there were 581 drink driving convictions.
Inspector Paterson said: "I would also ask people to consider one other set of figures before breaking the law. Just over one in seven deaths on Scottish roads involve drivers who are over the legal limit. Such fatalities cost the Scottish economy an estimated £55 million a year. The cost to families of the loss of a parent, a sibling or a child cannot be calculated."
There are plenty alternatives other than choosing to drink-drive, so consider how you might get home before going out. You could check the night bus services in your area or grab a taxi. You could also think about nominating a designated driver or simply leave the car behind and ask someone to pick you up, as you can return to collect your car the next day.
Should you suspect someone of drink or drug-driving, contact your local police office, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or dial 999 in an emergency.
Visit www.dontriskit.info to find out more.
