Drivers who get behind the wheel the morning after a heavy night’s drinking will be targeted in a new road safety campaign, police chiefs warned today.
Officers pledged to focus on motorists driving in the earlier part of the day who may still have drugs or too much alcohol in their system.
The warning came as every police force in Scotland began its seasonal campaign against drink or drug-driving.
Chief Constable Kevin Smith, of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), said officers would be on “high alert” to spot drink-drivers.
He said: “The evidence is overwhelming that there is a link between drink-driving and serious road crashes.
“Drivers who flout the law are not only putting their own lives at risk but the lives of others who may be family or friends or even perfect strangers.
“The message is clear from the police in Scotland: You may cause a crash, you will be detected, don’t risk it.”
The annual four-week campaign is being run in conjunction with Acpos, the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland.
The blitz begins at 7am today and will run until Monday, January 5.
Any driver involved in a collision, even if it is caused by another driver, will be breath-tested.
And any driver stopped for committing a traffic offence can also be asked to give a breath sample.
Superintendent Niven Rennie, of Strathclyde Police, said: “Many people think that if they have a drink and then get into their cars to drive, they won’t get caught, but that is simply not the case.
“Over the next few weeks, officers will be out in force and high-profile road checks will be in place to deter and detect offenders.
“I know that this is a time of year when there are many Christmas lunches and parties and people have a couple of drinks and think they’re OK to drive.
“But these people may not be aware that they are actually over the limit, especially the morning after.”
He encouraged people not to turn a blind eye if a friend or colleague planned to drive after drinking too much.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said drink-driving continued to be a major cause of deaths and injuries on Scotland’s roads, especially over the festive period.
He said: “Anyone considering risking drinking and driving over the Christmas and New Year period should be under no illusion that the police will be out in force on our roads and, if caught, they could lose their licence.
“The Scottish Government believes that the drink-driving limit should be reduced from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood to save lives on our roads.”
Police are also beginning a six-week Christmas crackdown on domestic abuse.
Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell backed the campaign, saying: “Violence against women and domestic abuse continue to devastate the lives of too many people in Scotland and must not be tolerated in any form.
“I welcome this crackdown by police, particularly over Christmas, a time when many families are affected by this despicable crime.”