Festive drink drive figures fall

Figures for people caught drink-driving have fallen across Scotland

The number of people caught drink driving in the East of Scotland over Christmas and the New Year has fallen.

Figures for the Lothian and Borders and Fife forces show a drop from 222 people in 2006 to 182 in 2007.

The numbers reflect a Scotland-wide pattern where drink-drive detection rates have decreased. The figures also include drivers who had taken drugs.

Senior police officers from both forces have pledged to continue cracking down on drivers who flout alcohol laws.

'Still disappointing'

Of the total number of drivers caught during the four-week long campaign, 133 were from the Lothian and Borders area and 49 were from Fife.

The figures also suggested that the majority of offenders continued to be young or middle-aged men.

Insp Jill Kerr from Lothian and Borders said: "While there has been a slight decrease in the numbers of people arrested in comparison to last year's campaign, it is nevertheless disappointing that so many people have made the foolhardy decision to drink and drive.

The fact that we caught 17 offenders out of the 49 total direct from the public indicates a strong public support against this menace Insp John McDonald

"People have been warned time and time again of the potentially devastating consequences of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs, but it appears that the message continues to be ignored by a stupid minority."

In Fife, about a third of people caught by officers were known about because of tip-offs from members of the public.

Insp John McDonald from Fife Constabulary said: "The fact that we caught 17 offenders out of the 49 total direct from the public indicates a strong public support against this menace.

"We have been very busy stopping and breathalysing motorists using information supplied and intelligence we know."