Police Scotland have confirmed that there was a “seasonal spike” in the number of drink driving offences over the festive period. 

Despite an overall decline in the number of offences in 2015, new figures from Police Scotland revealed that one in 35 drivers were over the legal limit. The drink driving limit in Scotland changed in December 2014 and resulted in a 7.6% decrease in the number of drivers found to be over the limit throughout the year. However, 3% of all drivers tested in December 2015 were over the limit, compared to 2% during the same period last year. 

Clampdown on Drink and Drug Driving

The figures came following a Police Scotland enforcement campaign which saw Police Scotland breathalyse roughly 579 drivers per day over a four week period. 

Of the 459 drivers caught drink driving just 19 were found to be between the old and new limit

Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, Head of Road Policing at Police Scotland, said: "Despite the encouraging 12 month drop and general downward trend in the number of drink/drug driving detections it is disappointing that during the recent Festive Drink Drive Campaign we caught 459 drivers who were prepared to cause danger to others as well as themselves.

“Road Safety is a high priority for Police Scotland throughout the year and our officers will continue to target those who are intent on causing danger to others by driving whilst under the influence of drink.”

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