Published: Wednesday, 5th December, 2007 09:30
Crackdown on festive drink drivers
By Jamie MacDonald
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Sergeant Bob Murphy and his colleagues will breathalyse any drivers they suspect of drink driving.
Pic by: David Robertson
CENTRAL Scotland Police kicked-off their festive road safety campaign this week by focusing on the dangers of drink driving.
Road Safety Officers were outside Morrisons supermarket in Alloa to emphasise the dangers posed by anyone who takes to the road whilst under the influence.
Hector Nicolson, Central Scotland Police Road Safety Officer, said, “Catching drunk drivers and bringing them before the courts remains a priority not just during the festive season, but throughout the entire 12 months of the year.
“Police officers will tackle the drink drive issue robustly no matter what other pressures are placed on resources.
“If you have a drink don’t drive at all.”
Last year’s festive season saw several drink drivers caught in the Wee County, some of which were driving “the morning after”.
Everyone who commits a moving traffic offence will automatically be breathalysed and Mr Nicolson is warning drivers that if they persist in driving under the influence they will be caught.
He said, “Nobody is immune, if you are not caught drink driving today you will be soon.
“It isn’t just road safety officers who can breathalyse you, local police in all the towns like Clackmannan, Alva, and Tillicoultry will be breathalysing drivers if they believe they have been drinking.”
In addition to facing a driving ban, financial penalty and a possible prison sentence, drink drivers could face the social stigma of having a criminal record and have to live with the shame of the trouble they have caused.
Mr Nicolson added, “Anyone tempted to drive after drinking should ask themselves the question, ‘Could I live with the shame of killing or injuring someone or how would I feel if a drink driver killed or injured someone known to me?’ The answer is self evident.”
Outside Morrisons, members of the public had the chance to try the ‘Drunk and Dangerous’ specs which simulate the affect on people’s sight when they are drunk.
Mr Nicolson said, “Some people that tried them on were completely gobsmacked by the effect of the spectacles.
“It is hard to focus and when they were walking they were weaving left or right – similar to drunk drivers who close one eye and try to focus on the line in the middle of the road.”
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