Festive drink driving rises in Scotland

Despite a strongly worded and heavily advertised drink driving campaign, the number of those caught committing the offence in Scotland increased by six per cent this year.

Some 656 motorists were caught drink driving over the three-week festive period, compared to 620 last year, according to the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (ACPOS), reports the BBC.

Chief Constable John Vine, chair of the road policing business area of ACPOS, told the BBC: "I still find it hard to believe that so many people are willing to risk their licence, their jobs and people's lives by drinking or taking drugs and driving.

"In the midst of this festive season and with Hogmanay coming up I would urge anybody going out for a drink not to take the car but to arrange a lift home or order a taxi.

"It may cost you a few pounds more but that is better than costing somebody their life."

Earlier this month, deputy leader of the Scottish National Party, Nicola Sturgeon, told the Sunday Herald that drink driving laws should be changed for the 21st century.

"The drink driving limit has not been reviewed in Scotland for about 30 years," she said. "Times have changed and there is a whole new generation of drivers who are now on Scotland's roads."

Ms Sturgeon added that between 1996 and 2004-05 the number of drivers under 21 convicted of drink driving increased by a fifth.