Police in morning-after warning

Police said drink-drivers would be detected

Motorists who drive the morning after a night of heavy drinking are to be targeted in a new police campaign.

Chief Constable Kevin Smith, of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), said officers would be on alert to spot drink drivers.

The Scotland-wide crackdown will run until 5 January.

Mr Smith said: "The message is clear from the police in Scotland - you may cause a crash, you will be detected, don't risk it."

Scotland's eight police forces are all taking part in the annual, four-week-long campaign, in conjunction with Acpos, the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland.

Even the morning after the night before, you can still be over the limit Kenny MacAskill Justice Secretary

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said drink-driving continued to be a major cause of deaths and injuries on Scotland's roads, especially over the festive period.

He said: "Anyone considering risking drinking and driving over the Christmas and New Year period should be under no illusion that the police will be out in force on our roads and if caught they could lose their licence.

"Even the morning after the night before, you can still be over the limit."

Supt Niven Rennie, head of Strathclyde Police road policing department said many people thought they would not be caught if they risked drink-driving.

The issue has previously been identified as a serious problem in the Highlands.

On leaving Inverness earlier this year to be closer to his family in the central belt, Sheriff Derek Pyle said the aspect of Highlands culture that had shocked him was the level of drink-driving.

Last December, police chiefs voiced fears over the number of women caught drink-driving during the festive season.

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