Tayside Police arrested 43 drivers who were driving while drunk or drugged during its festive season campaign.
The fourth and final week contributed 11 arrests to the total, including a 26-year-old man who had his vehicle forfeited at Dundee Sheriff Court for failing to provide a breath sample after a crash on Boxing Day.
On New Year’s Day another 26-year-old man, who was involved in a collision in the city, was found to be more than three times the legal limit and driving without insurance. He has also lost his vehicle.
Assistant Chief Constable Angela Wilson said: ”Praise must be given to the Tayside public for their excellent support of the campaign. Throughout the four weeks, their contribution through calls to the police has resulted in a significant number of detections for drink- or drug-driving and I thank them for their efforts in making the roads of Tayside safer.
”To those who are still willing to take the gamble with their own lives and the lives of other road users, I say that we will do all in our power to bring you to justice and remove you from our roads.”
One sixth of the drivers caught over the limit had been in crashes and half were stopped for various reasons, such as erratic driving or vehicle defects.
Ms Wilson said she was disappointed that so many drivers still fail to comply with laws designed to keep them safe, whether by breaking the speed limits, failing to wear seatbelts, or driving while on their phone.
More than 1,500 people were caught committing these offences during the campaign, including 570 speeding offences detected by police and another 678 caught by speed cameras.
There were 245 people not wearing a seatbelt and 168 using a phone. Another 52 drivers had their cars seized for not having a licence or insurance.
Head of road policing Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman said: ”The message that we have promoted during this campaign has been consistent: if you need to drive a vehicle, do not take drink or drugs.”