Drink driving checks in Scotland set to rise this summer

As part of a summer campaign, Police Scotland officers will be increasing the number of checks on drivers they believe to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The campaign began on 29th June 2018 and for the next two weeks intelligence-led high visibility patrols and roadside checks will be carried out to improve safety on our roads. This will also include trying to catch those early morning drivers still under the influence from the night before.

Last year, 5,791 drivers were found to be over the drink driving limit which was only slightly less than 2016 with 5,887 drivers being caught.

They are encouraging people heading out and having a drink this summer to think about how they will get back home.

Drink driving limit in Scotland

In 2014, the drink driving limit was lowered in Scotland to 50 milligrams of alcohol in every 100 millimetres of blood. This means that even just one drink can take you over the limit.

Find our more at What is the drink driving limit in Scotland?

Penalties for drink driving

There are very real penalties for those caught drink driving including a 12-month ban, a criminal record, a considerable fine and a potential prison sentence.

Driving under the influence also puts others at risk of serious, irreversible, harm. Department of Transport 2015 estimates there were 1,370 people killed or seriously injured in drink driving accidents in the UK.

At Digby Brown, we strongly encourage drivers to not even have one drink and then drive, and to make sure the alcohol has left their system before getting behind the wheel. It is simply not worth the risk.

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