Police will be stepping up their patrols in the north-east this week as part of a national scheme to ensure drivers are braced for winter.
The Get Ready for Winter campaign encourages road users to prep their vehicles for the harsher months ahead and account for heavy rain, high winds, snow and ice.
Road checks and patrols will take place throughout Aberdeenshire and Moray this week as officers provide advice around basic maintenance and precautions against the elements.
Vehicles will also be examined to ensure that they are road-worthy, paying attention in particular attention to brakes, lights and tyres.
The campaign follows a weekend where 236 vehicles were stopped on routes including the A90, A96, A952 and B979.
Among those, eight ight people were charged for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs across both Aberdeenshire and Moray.
All of these offenders were male — aged between 23 and 63 — and four were found to be four times over the legal limit.
Speed traps caught 11 drivers and a further 48 received warnings.
Another 33 drivers were reported for various other offences, such as using mobile phones and seatbelt offences.
Inspector Ewan Innes, of the road policing unit, said: “Yet again, we have a minority of motorists who continue to act in an irresponsible and selfish manner, which puts their lives and the lives of others in danger.
“It is particularly concerning to see the number of people detected for driving under the influence of alcohol and this is something that we will continue to treat as a priority as we ensure that these offenders are charged for their actions.
“As the winter closes in and nights get darker, we will continue to look for any and all opportunities to engage with motorists through further operations and days of action. The safety of road users is a top priority.”