By Steven Bell

MOTORISTS ACROSS Tayside are ignoring a “Don’t Risk It” warning from police and getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol, it emerged yesterday.

Figures released by the force yesterday revealed that 23 drivers, 17 of them men, failed a breath test in the first week of the National Festive Road Safety Campaign.

Police expressed particular concern at a six-fold rise in the number of young people caught drinking and driving.

Only two men in the 17-to-25 age group were caught in the first week of last year’s campaign. This year there were six men and six women.

Other figures to emerge from the first seven days of the campaign include a “staggering” 912 people caught speeding—228 in built-up areas and 684 on rural roads.

In addition, 139 adults were caught not wearing seatbelts—113 drivers, 25 front seat passengers and one rear seat passenger.

During week one of the campaign—that ran from 7am on December 8 to 7am on December 15 —one man, aged in the 17-25 bracket, was also charged with drug driving and reported to the procurator fiscal.

Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman, head of road policing in Tayside, said he was disappointed that so many motorists were prepared to ignore “basic but fundamentally important” road safety regulations.

“I am particularly concerned that the number of young drivers detected drinking and driving has increased,” he said.

“Anyone drinking and driving risks causing death or serious injury to themselves or to others. It does happen, and when it does people have to live with the consequences for the rest of their lives.”

Detections in the 26-to-40 age group fell from 16 to eight.

Of all those caught drink driving, meanwhile, two had been involved in a road accident.

Chief Insp Bowman said, “It is encouraging to see fewer people in the 25-to-40 age group have been detected. This may be because people are taking advantage of the “I’ll be Des” campaign, and that when groups are on a night out, the designated driver avoids alcohol.

“Many pubs and clubs provide free soft drinks to the designated driver who is out with friends. Even if everyone in the party wants to drink, why not arrange a lift or get a bus or taxi home?

“We regularly get phone calls reporting drunk drivers. Everyone can help to keep our roads safe by phoning the police to report a suspected drunk driver. Those stupid enough to drink and drive should remember that many are caught because they have been reported to us.”

He said some people “mistakenly” thought it was only the police they had to avoid when getting behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. He continued, “What about the person who served you that pint, or the young cyclist you narrowly avoided, or the woman at the bus stop with the mobile phone? Or even your next door neighbour as they see you stagger from your car?

“All of them have a vested interest in making sure you do not drink and drive. All of them can pick up the phone to call us.

“The party season is gathering pace and so is our determination to prevent drunk or drug drivers causing tragedy and grief to others.

“Additional patrols are targeting offenders at all hours, including the early mornings when drivers may still be suffering the effects of the night before. The message is simple: if you drink—don’t drive.”

Anyone who suspects someone of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs should contact Tayside Police on 01382 223200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.