The number of Scottish motorists caught drink-driving this summer is on the rise.
New, tighter drink-drive limits were introduced in December, which led to a 17% fall in the number of people caught over the limit over the first three months of the year.
But progress has stalled. One in 40 drivers stopped and breathalysed as part of the “Don’t Spoil Summer” campaign between May 29 and June 12 were over the legal limit compared to one in 55 drivers over the same period last year.
Scottish Government justice secretary Michael Matheson said: “When the summer drink-drive campaign launched two weeks ago, it had a simple message: don’t risk it.
“With the police stopping thousands of drivers each month, there can be serious consequences for anyone caught drink-driving.
“The reality is that having even one alcoholic drink before driving makes you three times more likely to be involved in a fatal car crash. It’s definitely not worth that risk.”
Chief Superintendent Iain Murray, head of road policing at Police Scotland, said: “Targeting those who continue to put themselves and others needlessly at risk in this way is a year-round priority for the police.”
