ACPOS launches drink and drug driving campaign

Created by The Union on behalf of the Scottish Government, the campaign spans TV, radio and online, with the message: “if you choose to drink drive then you choose to lose your licence”.

As well as receiving a criminal record, a substantial fine and an automatic 12 month ban, drivers who are over three times the legal limit may now have their vehicle seized.

Chief Constable Justine Curran, ACPOS vice president, said: “In Scotland we are on patrol 24 hours a day, every day of the year catching those who pose a threat to our safety. Last year, 7563 people in Scotland were caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which is an average of around 20 offenders every day. It is staggering that so many people are willing to risk their lives and the lives of others. From today, over the Festive Campaign, we will be increasing our road patrols targeting those who continue to drive under the influence of drink or drugs.

“This year’s campaign marks another extension to the Vehicle Forfeiture Scheme, from today if we discover through our inquiries that an offender is three times the legal limit or more we will request that the court gives consideration to seizing and forfeiting the offender’s vehicle, this means that on conviction the vehicle will be sold or destroyed.”

Kenny MacAskill, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, added: “It’s a sad fact that we are still having to address this problem over forty years after the law was introduced, and I welcome this tougher new initiative as yet another lever to remove drink and drug drivers from our roads. The Scottish Government has developed a strong social marketing campaign this year to get the message out that if you are caught drink or drug driving you will lose your licence as we know that many people still don’t understand the consequences of their actions.”

The advert was produced by the gate films, directed by Bluey Durrant and post was handled by Edit 19.