Summer clampdown on drink-driving

Drinking alcohol reduces the reaction times of drivers

Motorists have been warned not to allow the good summer weather to tempt them to drink and drive.

All eight Scottish police forces are coming together to reinforce the drink-driving message with a two-week summer campaign.

The co-ordinated campaign has been organised by Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland.

It coincides with the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond, The Open at Turnberry and the T in The Park music festival.

Ch Supt Brian Anderson, from Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, said: "With the summer months now upon us and potentially many more motorists travelling across Scotland to visit the major attractions I would urge drivers to act responsibly."

He said it was not worth the risk of "either killing or seriously injuring themselves or others".

Ch Supt Anderson urged people to be "aware of the consequences of being caught for drink or drug driving".

During a similar two-week campaign across Scotland in 2008 officers caught 343 people who were over the limit.

He added: "Those drivers will currently be disqualified and may have lost their jobs. In the present climate they may find it increasingly difficult to find work. Officers will again be out in force, as they are each day of the year, to keep our roads as safe as possible."

The campaign will run until 20 July, and the police have urged the public to contact Crimestoppers if they suspect anyone of drink driving.