350 motorists caught in festive drink-drive campaign

The number of people caught drink driving over the festive period dropped by a fifth following introduction of a lower limit, new figures show.
 
Scotland’s drink drive limit was reduced from 80mg in every 100 ml of blood to 50mg as of December 5.
 
Police Scotland has now confirmed that 17,504 drivers were tested over the course of a four-week festive campaign, with 351 caught under the influence.
 
This is down 19 per cent compared to 434 in the same period in 2013, albeit 3,000 fewer drivers were tested in the latest campaign period.
 
Officers therefore detected one drink driver for every 50 tests carried out compared to one drink driver for every 47 tests carried out in the same campaign period a year earlier.

Of those caught drink driving, 20 drivers were detected between the new 50mg limit and the previous limit of 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. 
 
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson said the figures were “testament to the immediate effect that the new lower limit has helped to male our roads safer”.
 
Police Scotland assistant chief constable Bernie Higgins said: "The new limit is proving a good deterrent in stopping people from drinking and driving, but it is still unacceptable that 351 people chose to ignore all the advice and warnings and get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. 
 
“They are not just risking their lives but also those of other road users and pedestrians.”