Drink-drive campaign kicks off
DRIVERS who get behind the wheel the morning after a night of heavy drinking will be targeted in a road safety campaign.
Police chiefs today 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 festive drink-drug driving safety campaign.
Chief Constable Kevin Smith, of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, 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 - you may cause a crash, you will be detected, don't risk it."
Scotland's eight police forces are all taking part in the annual, four-week long campaign, 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.
In addition, any driver stopped for committing a traffic offence can also be asked to give a breath sample.
Supt Niven Rennie, head of Strathclyde Police road policing department 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 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."
He also encouraged people not to turn a blind eye when a friend or colleague plans to drive home after drinking too much.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "Anyone considering risking drinking and driving should be under no illusion that the police will be out in force on our roads and if caught they could lose their licence.
"Even the morning after the night before, you can still be over the limit."