Festive blitz nabs drink/drug motorists

Jan 1 2013 by Iain Howie, Perthshire Advertiser

A festive clampdown on bad motoring saw eight drivers stopped for drink or drugs offences in a pre-Christmas blitz.

And a further 102 drivers were detected for speeding in a week which saw the area’s roads hit by heavy rain and strong winds, causing localised flooding.

A further 45 drivers across the Tayside Police area were reported for mobile phone offences with 44 drivers and five passengers also reported for seat belt offences - officers also reported finding three children not properly restrained.

Three drink/drug-drivers had been in minor collisions but not seriously injured.

Roads chief inspector Sandy Bowman said: “There are still far too many drivers that are not taking heed of our safety messages. Fortunately the drink drivers we have traced did not cause serious injuries to innocent parties.

“If you are drinking at night or into the early hours over New Year you could easily still be over the legal limit the following morning.”

Tayside Police says members of the public who are concerned can report a drink/drug driver on 0300 1112222.