no escape for drink-drivers

Jan 16 2009 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

COPS have vowed to make 2009 an unhappy year for the hard core of motorists who continue to ignore the Don’t Drink and Drive message.

They issued the warning yesterday after revealing that a number of boozed-up drivers were caught on the roads of Paisley and elsewhere in Renfrewshire over the festive season.

But local officers also had praise for the majority of motorists, who have got the message that drinking and driving puts lives at risk.

The number of offenders nabbed by cops during the festive campaign to tackle drink-driving in Renfrewshire is down compared with the previous year’s total.

The reduction in the Paisley area is in line with the drop experienced Scotland-wide, which shows that almost 200 fewer motorists were arrested for drink or drug driving offences during the four-week crackdown.

A police spokesperson said: “While we are pleased to see more people obeying the law, there were still 654 motorists who chose to ignore it.

“That is still far too many people who are prepared to take risks with their own safety and that of other road users.”

Last year, more than 800 people were charged with drink and drug driving offences in Scotland during the Christmas and New Year blitz.

And police are determined to hammer home the message in 2009 that getting behind the wheel while under the influence can lead to drivers losing their licence, their job and the respect of family and friends.

The spokesperson added: “Our message to all motorists, regardless of age, is that, if you are going to drink, don’t drive.

“The consequences can be very serious, including the loss of life, so don’t risk it.”

Meanwhile, new research has shown that Buddies are now more likely to shop friends and family for drink- driving as attitudes towards the offence change.

Bosses at Road Safety Scotland have revealed that the social stigma surrounding drink-driving is now so strong that we are willing to squeal on those we love most.

When questioned, 53 per cent of folk in Renfrewshire said they would report family members or friends for drink-driving, while 70 per cent would report a stranger, either by phoning Crimestoppers or the police.

According to Road Safety Scotland, the offence is now seen as taboo and we would rather shop someone we know than watch them put their own and others’ lives at risk by downing alcohol and then getting behind the wheel.

And those who said they wouldn’t report family members insisted they would prefer to confront them about it themselves.

Significantly, only two per cent of Buddies felt it was none of their business, suggesting that people are no longer willing to turn a blind eye to the offence.

Michael McDonnell, director of Road Safety Scotland, told the Paisley Daily Express: “Police are getting better at detecting drink-drivers and have recently adopted a new policy stance which requires drivers to take a breath test when stopped for any moving traffic offence.

“The consequences of drink-driving just start with being arrested and it only gets worse from there on.

“Losing your licence can mean losing friends and family as a result. Our message is simple – don’t risk it.”