A TOTAL of 54 drivers were caught by the police in Dumfries and Galloway as part of the festive drink and drugs crackdown.
The force’s campaign ran from December 1 to January 19 and across Scotland as a whole more breath and roadside drug tests were carried out by officers than previous years.
Road Policing and Local Policing officers worked together to target and deter drink and drug drivers. They did this by carrying out proactive patrols, speaking to drivers and raising awareness in communities, using data to target key areas, responding to information from members of the public and setting up roadside checks.
And in this area it resulted in 29 people found driving while under the influence of controlled drugs above the prescribed limit; 16 drivers with blood alcohol above the prescribed limit; three who were in charge of a motor while their blood alcohol level was above the prescribed limit; and two were caught driving a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs.
In addition, three people failed to provide a blood, breath or urine specimen at a police station, and one refused to do a roadside breath test.
Commenting, Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, head of road policing, said: “Police Scotland will keep targeting drink and drug drivers and we know how important this is to the public.
“My message to people thinking about driving after taking drugs or alcohol is you will get caught. Our officers are out every day, we will arrest you and that will affect you for the rest of your life. It’s your choice and it can have a devastating impact on other road users. It changes people’s lives and it is avoidable.
“Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign and please continue to speak to family and friends to encourage changing the behaviour of drivers.”
