Ten charged in drink-drive crackdown

TEN motorists were charged over the weekend with drink/drug driving offences – including a 50-year-old woman who was more than five times the limit.

Stops were made in Keith, Cullen, Buckie, Portsoy, Inverurie, Turriff, Dyce and Torry in Aberdeen, with a number of the drivers stopped during road checks as part of Police Scotland’s national summer Drink/Drug Drive campaign.

Officers are carrying out additional intelligence-led, high-visibility patrols and roadside checks.

A number of detections were made during early-morning hours.

Road Policing Sergeant Andy Meikleham said: "It is shocking that there remains a persistent minority who selfishly disregard the law and gravely and recklessly risk the safety of other road users.

"Driving immediately after drinking too much is completely unacceptable. However, you also need to be aware of the risk of still being over the limit the morning after, depending on how much alcohol you have consumed. Everyone's metabolism is unique to them and their bodies react to alcohol differently, so it is essential that all drivers take seriously their personal responsibility to ensure they are fit to drive.

"For those who ignore the law you could risk a minimum 12-month driving ban when caught, a criminal record, a substantial fine and the possibility of a prison sentence and the confiscation of your motor vehicle. Above all that, you risk injuring yourself or other innocent road users. Respect the law, other road users and yourself."

He added: "These checks will continue alongside the regular patrols that are led by officers across the north-east on a daily basis. Drink and drug driving wrecks lives – don’t risk it."

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