Tough new laws could see drink drivers lose their vehicles and licences
Issued by Northern Constabulary and the Crown Office
Tough new laws could see drink drivers lose their vehicles and licences and Army supports Police and Crown at launch of Festive Safety campaign.
Northern Constabulary and the Crown Office are warning drink drivers they could face losing their licences and their vehicles if they are caught drink driving with the introduction of strict new measures.
That was the message from Police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service yesterday as the Force launched its annual Festive Safety Campaign at Fort George.
The ACPOS-led Festive Safety Campaign is being backed by the Army who are keen to provide support for their troops returning from Afghanistan.
The main thrust of this year's campaign is the introduction of the Scottish Vehicle Foreiture scheme, which will run for the duration of the campaign.
Drivers face the possibility of being detained for court and, on information provided by the police, application may be made by the Procurator Fiscal to the court for forfeiture of the vehicle.
Inspector John Smith said: "This year's Festive campaign will again see an increase in police presence on the roads and drink drivers face the added possibility this year of actually losing their vehicles as well as their licences.
"Working together with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service we intend to send a very clear message to those who continue to drink and drive that their actions are completely unacceptable and the consequences will be extremely severe."
Area Procurator Fiscal Andrew Laing said: "Drink driving causes misery every Winter in Scotland through avoidable and unencessary accidents and injuries.
"As a result of joint work by Police and prosecutors this year, drink drivers can expect not only to lose their liberty but also their vehicle.
"Offenders can expect to be taken into custody and their vehicles impounded by the Police and ultimately confiscated by the court. Hopefully this will bring home to those who might consider drinking and driving to think again."
As part of today's launch Police and Army officials gave road safety presentations to soldiers in a bid to prepare them for the "theatre of life," when they return from the "theatre of war," and to remind them they have a duty to obey the rules of the road rather than the rules of engagement.
Many of the soldiers based at Fort George are young men and like other young men in the UK they like to socialise. Their commanding officers at the MOD continue to show concern for their wellbeing after they return from duty and have invited Northern Constabulary along to the barracks on a number of occasions to speak about the dangers which exist on our roads and the consequences of drinking and driving.
Army Sergeant Scott Halliday welcomed representatives from the Force's Road Policing Unit to speak to the troops and provide them with the same crucial message the Force sends out to all drivers during the festive season - drink driving is not worth the risk.
For that reason Northern Constabulary today opted to run another in a series of road safety workshops to run in conjunction with the Force's annual Festive Safety Campaign, the focus of which is drink driving.
Inspector John Smith added: "We welcome the support of the Black Watch at Fort George and it is pleasing to see the Army providing their troops with vital road safety information, including the risks and consequences of drink driving."
Army Sergeant Scott Halliday said: "I would like to thank Northern Constabulary for coming along today to highlight the risks and penalties associated with drinking and driving, especially when a large percentage of our drivers fall into the age bracket most associated with drink driving.
"It also shows a greater working relationship between the military and police in combatting drink driving and that the Army's duty of care is not only to its soldiers, but also to the local population."