Plan how you are getting home if you are out drinking this summer
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THE summer campaign to crackdown on drink and drug driving will be launched next week by Police Scotland.
Figures show that motorists caught ‘driving under the influence’ (DUI) has increased by a third in the past five years.
The annual Recorded Crime in Scotland report published last week showed 7,815 DUI offences in 2022/23 – compared with 5,863 in 2017/2018.
Separate figures from Transport Scotland reveal there are 20 deaths a year caused by drink driving.
The Scottish drink drive limit was lowered in December 2014 from 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood to 50mg.
A study of 1000 people in Scotland by breathalyser firm AlcoSense found 53 per cent of motorists have now reduced the amount of alcohol they drink, when they know they will be driving later that day or the following morning.
However, managing director Hunter Abbott said: "There’s still a persistent minority who flout the law and drive above the limit.
“When you go out drinking this summer, plan ahead for how you’ll get home – whether it’s walking, public transport, taxi or designated alcohol-free driver.
“Even a small amount of alcohol slows reaction time, inhibits judgement and reduces concentration - increasing the likelihood of an accident”.
Police Scotland’s summer operation runs for three weeks, from June 26 to July 16.
During last year’s campaign, 585 roadside breath screening tests were carried out plus 152 drug tests. Officers detected 295 DUI offences – a failure rate of 40 per cent.
However analysis by AlcoSense shows that, across the year, breath test failure rates in Scotland (3.5 per cent) are considerably lower than in England and Wales (6 per cent).
