Traffic cops appalled by festive blitz tally

Jan 7 2011 by Denis Brown, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A MOTORIST caught almost three times the legal drink-driving limit on New Year’s Day was just the tip of a potentially lethal festive iceberg.

The culprit, Lithuanian national Algirdas Skerstonas (39), of Leighton Square, Alyth, was the seventh motorist nailed during the final week of Tayside Police’s seasonal drink/drug driving blitz.

Dismayed road policing cops conceded that the total number of 43 arrested over the whole four-week period was only one less than the total caught in the previous festive campaign.

But what made the results even more disturbing was the backdrop of the worst December driving conditions on record, rendering safe road navigation hazardous for even the most sober motorist.

Road Policing boss, Ch Insp Sandy Bowman, said the alarming results demonstrated the consistent message that drug and drink driving was totally unacceptable had fallen on several deaf ears.

“It is apparent that there is still an unacceptable proportion of drivers who are prepared to risk the lives of others as well as themselves by disregarding the law,” he said.

“With almost a fifth of those arrested for drink or drug driving in the past four weeks being involved in collisions, the effect that these substances have on your ability drive properly is clearly illustrated.

“A driver’s ability to judge speed and distance is significantly impaired.”

One of those nabbed was a 34-year-old Perth man caught during week one after crashing a stolen vehicle while nearly two and a half times the legal limit.

Meanwhile, 51 per cent of motorists detected were pulled over by officers who had observed erratic driving behaviour.

Among them was Lithuanian ex-pat Skerstonas, who was stopped by cops about 5.30am on the Coupar Angus Road on January 1.

Perth Sheriff Court heard on Monday that Skerstonas had three passengers onboard and when tested was found to have 100 microgrammes of alcohol in his breath – more than three times the 35mics in 100ml limit.

According to his solicitor, he had consumed four or five beers and champagne at a Hogmanay bash and had not intended to drive home.

Skerstonas, a forklift driver living in Scotland for the past five years, pled guilty and received a four-year driving ban, plus a £700 fine.

A senior traffic cop told the PA that although the youngest culprit caught was only 17, the majority of offenders – mainly aged 26 to 55 – were clearly old enough to know better.

As with previous festive operations, concerned members of the public had played a significant role in helping police nab offenders, with more than 30 per cent of detections attributed to tip-offs.

Ch Insp Bowman warned that although the blitz had ended, officers would continue to come down hard on any motorist caught behid the wheel while under the influence.

“These drivers will be put before the courts and I’d encourage the public to continue providing their support,” he said.

l Tip-offs about suspect drivers should be directed to Tayside Police on 0300 111 2222 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.