Police slam women drink-drivers

Police said drink drivers were placing others at great risk

Police chiefs in Scotland have voiced fears over the number of women caught drink-driving during the festive season.

More than 100 of the 657 drivers who have been charged with drink or drug driving offences were women.

A 45-year-old woman in Tranent was among those arrested after she was found to be four times the limit.

In response to the figures, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said it was time to lower the drink-drive limit.

The statistics were published by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

Mr MacAskill called on the UK Government, who have responsibility for the drink-drive limit, to reduce it or devolve the issue to the Scottish Parliament.

He said: "These figures are a stark reminder of the grip alcohol misuse has on many people in Scotland.

For many years there was a perception that middle-aged male drivers were the worst offenders when it came to drink driving ACC Jim Green

"Sadly, it is a grip that seems to be tightening on both young people and women - many of whom seem to believe that heavy drinking and driving can go together.

"We have got to do more to nip this dangerous trend in the bud.

"That's why I believe it is crucial that we have swift and decisive action to lower the drink-driving limits in this country - backed up by tough enforcement measures like random testing."

Highest number

Assistant Chief Constable Jim Green, secretary of Acpos' road policing business area, said: "It is a disappointing statistic that over 100 female drivers have been found to be over the drink-drive limit since the festive safety campaign began.

"I am also alarmed at the number of young drivers detected by officers as having been drinking or taking drugs before driving."

A motorist was followed for more than five miles by a concerned driver in the early hours of Boxing Day in central Scotland.

The driver, a 38-year-old woman, was found to be nearly three-times the limit.

The highest number of drink driving incidents in week three of the police campaign were in the Strathclyde Force area (91), followed by Lothian and Borders (37).